As fall begins and the crisp air starts to move in, the people of Southern Maryland flock to fairs, festivals, and other outdoor happenings. To enjoy all the season has to offer in our area, check out a few of these exciting events this October:

Makers Market

Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center, 13480 Dowell Road, Dowell, MD

When: Saturday, October 6, 2018

Time: 9:00AM – 1:00PM

Just across the Patuxent River is the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center which regularly hosts interesting cultural events. You won’t want to miss their Makers Market in early October. They host this homegrown art-filled event each month, usually on the first Saturday. It’s free to attend, and you’ll find local artists, artisans, and makers of all kinds with handmade goods for sale. From handwoven baskets to homemade chocolates and local produce, this event is all about supporting your local makers and producers.

FunkYard Festival

Where: Saturday, October 6, 2018

When: Community Forklift Nonprofit Reuse Center, 4671 Tanglewood Drive

Edmonston, MD

Time: 11:00AM – 5:00PM

Up in PG County, Edmonston hosts their FunkYard Festival this month. This event is centered around the concept of reuse and preservation — preserving the local history and reusing materials in creative and practical ways. It will be held at the Community Forklift Nonprofit Reuse Center and is a family and pet-friendly event. They’ll have salvage and restoration demonstrations, advice on antiques, and even some local historical and preservation experts. This day is also a celebration of art and music, with artists who use salvaged and found materials and live funk music performances by the Ron Hicks Project and three-time IMA nominee Lil’ Maceo. This is a free event, with plenty of great local food for purchase.

College Park Day 2018

Where: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Dr., College Park, MD

When: Saturday, October 6, 2018

Time: 12:00PM – 6:00PM

Just a 15-minute drive north from Edmonston will take you to College Park. On the same Saturday as the FunkYard Festival, the College Park Aviation Museum is hosting College Park Day 2018. There’s free admission to this family-friendly festival, with plenty of kids activities like arts and crafts, a climbing wall, obstacle courses, and face-painting. There will also be jazz, rock, cumbia, pop, and R&B musicians performing all day. They’ll have a bunch of local art vendors as well as food vendors on site serving up quintessential festival foods. Check out their community exhibitors while you’re there to support and learn about the local community. You can also take advantage of the free admission into the museum that they offer during the festival.

Blue Crabs Beer, Food and Wine Festival

Where: Southern Maryland Blue Crab Stadium, 11765 St Linus Dr., Waldorf, MD

When: Saturday, October 20, 2018

Time: 10:00AM – 4:00PM

This Festival kicks off for the first time this year in the Charles County area in Waldorf. Don’t miss this day of local food, beer, wine and spirits. It’s organized by Crabby Hog and PeakeNet Broadband and will host a diverse vendor lineup including Smoker’s Delight BBQ, Bullhead Pit Beef, Ohana Snow Shaved Ice, Calvert Kettle Corn, Sweet Tooth Funnel Cakes, and PoppyJeans baked goods. Check out their website for general admission or VIP tickets.

52nd Annual US Oyster Festival

Where: St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, 42455 Fairgrounds Road, Leonardtown, MD

When: October 20-21, 2018

Time: Saturday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM; Sunday: 11:00AM – 6:00PM

If you’re from Southern Maryland, you’ve probably heard of this popular 52-year-old festival. The US Oyster Festival held in St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown is one of the oldest and most popular oyster festivals in the country. It marks the opening of oyster season on the Chesapeake Bay, with a National Oyster Cook-Off and the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championships. This championship includes competitors from all over the US who’ll be facing off for the U.S. Oyster Shucking Champion title. Winners will move on to Galway Ireland to compete for the World Shucking Championship. At this weekend-long festival, you can try all kinds of local seafood (including oysters, of course), sample some craft beer, enjoy live music, and learn about the oysters and waterman’s way of life with their cultural exhibits. A fee of $10 gets you into this festival, with free admission for kids 12 and under.

Autumn brings plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy the cultural and social events of Southern Maryland. Whether you’re sampling fair foods, learning about the community’s history, or celebrating the oyster season, there are plenty of ways to explore this beautiful area. This October, let’s see some of  your best Fall pictures. At the end of the month, my favorite will win a $25 Amazon gift card. Have fun!