Garrett 250 Birthday Bash: Celebrating America Together is scheduled for July 18, 2026. It will take place from noon to 10PM at the Garrett County Fairgrounds and will highlight the people, places, and traditions that helped shape Garrett County over the past two and a half centuries. Taylor-Made is excited to be a sponsor of what promises to be an amazing event!
This special celebration is part of the Garrett 250 initiative, a countywide program created by Garrett County Government to recognize America’s 250th anniversary. The initiative highlights how the broader American story can be understood through the experiences of local communities across Garrett County.
A Community Celebration of Local History
Garrett County is made up of unique towns and communities, each with its own role in the region’s history. Places such as Accident, Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, Loch Lynn, Mountain Lake Park, and Oakland represent different moments in the county’s development, from early settlement and transportation to industry, recreation, and civic life.
The Garrett 250 Birthday Bash is designed to bring residents, visitors, and families together for a full day of activities that reflect the county’s heritage while celebrating the future.
Live Music, History, and Family Activities
Visitors attending the Garrett 250 celebration can enjoy live music throughout the day, including performances from Queen City Funk & Soul, The Remedy, and the Garrett Community Concert Band.
History will take center stage through guest speakers, re-enactors, and storytellers who will share stories from Garrett County’s past. Educational exhibits, demonstrations, and interactive displays will provide opportunities for guests to learn about the region’s development and the people who shaped it.
Families can explore a kids’ activity zone, while local non-profits, civic organizations, and vendors will be on site to showcase their work and connect with the community. Additional highlights will include a car show, veteran recognitions, and historical displays representing different eras of Garrett County life.
A Patriotic Drone Show Finale
As the day transitions into evening, the celebration will conclude with one of the event’s most anticipated features. At 9:30PM, a drone light show will illuminate the sky above the fairgrounds with patriotic imagery, symbolizing both the legacy of the past and the promise of the future.
Organizers expect the Garrett 250 Birthday Bash to draw thousands of attendees, making it one of the largest community gatherings ever held in Garrett County.
A Year-Long Garrett 250 Initiative
While the July celebration is a major highlight, Garrett 250 extends well beyond a single event. The initiative is part of a broader effort to document and preserve the county’s history as part of the national America 250 commemoration.
Through collaboration with the Maryland Two Fifty Commission’s “Once in a Generation” program, the project will create a lasting record of Garrett County’s contributions to American history. Historians and videographers will work with local communities to capture photographs, video, and oral histories, preserving stories that may not have been widely documented before.
Additional programs will include exhibits, storytelling presentations, and educational materials designed to help residents and visitors better understand the region’s past.
One of the initiative’s interactive programs is the Citizen Card program, which encourages residents to learn more about how local government works and how individuals can participate in civic life.
Celebrating Garrett County’s Place in America’s Story
The Garrett 250 Birthday Bash offers a unique opportunity to celebrate both national history and the local communities that helped shape it. By bringing together residents from across the county, the event highlights the shared heritage and civic pride that continue to define Garrett County today.