ADVERTISEMENT FALL TRAVEL INMARYLAND Serves Up Surf & Turf Charles County Government pSunset Nanjemoy Creek

Maryland’s tourism slogan used to be America in Miniature. It has since changed, but the former moniker still rings quite true. After all, this is a state that has coastline, mountains (albeit diminutive ones), abigcity,suburbia,andfarmland.Abouttheonlythingmissingisdesert,althoughMarylanddoeshaveseveralofthose special places where you can feel deserted amidst nature.

So, let’s take a tour around this microcosm of America, starting at the shining sea.u ADVERTISEMENT

No crowds, no traffic, low prices. This is Ocean City in the fall. This time of year, the weather remains mild and the beach still beckons, but most sun worshippers have closed up shop for the season. Still, the big star is the axis of Ocean City’s top fall festival, taking place next weekend. Sunfest is jam-packed with fabulous food, a top art and crafts show, and continuous live entertainment on two stages. Headliners include Lonestar and Bret Michaels. If that’s not enough to keep you occupied, you can high- tail it to the Sunfest Kite Festival taking pSunfest 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland place the same weekend. Master kite flyers from around the world showcase and costume parades for families and for at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront now start aerial displays of art, while amateurs can pets. OCtoberfest takes place Oct. 19-21 at $134. A month from now, the same participate in kite-making workshops and 26-28. room goes for only $94. The same and kite battles. The following weekend, The event coincides with Ocean City property’s two-night, three-rounds- Winefest at the Beach features Mid- Restaurant Week. That’s actually a of-golf package is only $310 now, but Atlantic vintages, cuisine from the misnomer, as the promotion more lasts come late October, it sinks to $216. Also Delmarva peninsula, and local regional afortnight.FromOct.12-28,foodiescan starting later in October is a Weekdays microbrew beers. sample Ocean City cuisine at special prices. Gone Wild deal at the Hilton Suites New on the OC’s fall calendar is Hotel rooms are specially priced all Oceanfront. $129 buys a room with a OCtoberfest.As you might guess from the fall long. Rates have already taken view and dinner. Another thing to look spelling, this does not nave a Germanic asignificantdipfromtheirsummer for is a “stay two nights, get the third theme. Indeed, it’s a G-rated affair, with peak and they keep dropping as fall free” deal, like the one offered by the

aHalloween-themedbeachmaze,music, progresses. For example, weekday rates Quality Inn Oceanfront. u

Spend the day exploring the natural world of Charles County – Agritourism is FallFest thriving and the local farming community iswaitingtoconnectyoutonature’sbounty Saturday • October 27, 2012 in Charles County, Maryland. 1:30–6:30 p.m.

www.CharlesCountyMD.gov 800-766-3386 ADVERTISEMENT Just a few miles down the road from Ocean City is a place with a totally different vibe. The quaint town of Berlin features its annual Fiddlers Convention from Sept. 21-23. Top bluegrass musicians from around the country flock to the burg to compete for best of show prizes. Berlin also hosts its version of Oktoberfest on Oct 13. This one is German (note the “k”), complete with accordions playing polka and lederhosen-wearing Oom- Pah bands. Plus, there will be beer, brats, and other German treats. Scotland, Ireland,Wales and homelands of other clans will be showcased during the Chesapeake Celtic Festival on Oct. 6 and 7. Being held at Snow Hill’s Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum, there will be bagpipes, border collies, Irish step dancers, a Highland Heptathlon and men in kilts. Bethesda Urban Partnership and ConferenceVisitors & Bureau of Montgomery County, MD. p2011 Taste of Bethesda in Bethesda, Maryland ater,Water WEverywhere Of course, the Atlantic Ocean isn’t the only game in town. Maryland is renowned for the Chesapeake Bay.ItsEasternShoreisaperennialfavoritefor Washingtonians looking for a bucolic break. Talbot County contains plenty of those idyllic small villages weekend sojourners love. For example, there’s St. Michaels.OnSept.30,itsChesapeake Bay Maritime Museum hosts Concours d’Elegance, featuring award-winning automobiles from the Golden Age of Motoring (1900-1942) and from the post-war (1948-1962) era. A collection of classic wooden speedboats from the same period will also be on display. u

fall getaway.Rethink your -

The days are warm, the nights are cool and the beach is quiet. It’s the perfect time to visit ocean city, mD. With 200+ restaurants, 17 championship golf courses, spas and shopping, there’s always something to do. and right now, you’ll find excellent prices on our many accommodations. So welcome the new season with a new fall destination. Welcome to oc.

Sunfest Winefest on the Beach Harbor Day at the Docks Fall Restaurant Week Sept. 20 – 23 Sept.28–29 oct.6 oct.14–28 ococean.com Visit us online or call 1-800-oc-ocean to book your fall getaway today! ADVERTISEMENT If small skiffs float your boat, though, best to come to St. Michaels during the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival, being held Oct. 5-7. Amateur and professional boat builders come to display skiffs, kayaks, and canoes. Take part in demonstrations or watch these one-of-a-kind vessels race. Easton is another classic Eastern Shore town. The historic Talbot County seat has evolved into a dynamic cultural hub during the past two decades. Its rich history and physical attractiveness has even earned Easton recognition as one of the top ten best small towns in America. Ladies, if you are looking to escape your hectic, daily lives, if only for a few days, mark your calendars for Oct. 5-7. Easton’s A Women’s Event is a retreat designed to enhance knowledge of the arts, nature and wellness. There are more than 30 options for classes, workshops, tours and speakers. Meanwhile, on the upper Eastern Shore, Kent County’s annual Waterman’s Crab Feast and Historic Chestertown House Tour both take place Oct. 6. More than three centuries of American history are reflected in the homes and buildings of what was once the center of international trade for the colonies. The following Saturday, FallFest in Rock Hall is paying homage to the oyster. But shucks, even if you don’t dig the bivalve, there will be other food, plus music and family fun, to enjoy. The Sultana Projects Downrigging Weekend, also known as the Tall Ships and Wooden Boat Festival, is one of the largest tall ship gatherings on the East Coast. Being held Oct. 25-28 in Chestertown,theeventaffordsvisitorsthechancetostep aboard and/or sail on about 40 historic vessels, including the pThe Promenade in Havre de Grace. Kalmar Nyckel and the Pride of Baltimore. u

Christmas on the Potomac at Gaylord National® Resort

Celebrate beloved traditions and make new ones in beautiful National Harbor, MD! November 16 – January 6 Make it a Christmas to remember at Gaylord National, where two million twinkling lights, amazing indoor snowfall and the stunning spun-glass Tree of Light create aholidayatmospherelikenoother.Delightinfinedining,eclecticshoppingand festive entertainment, including ICE! —twomillionpoundsofcolorful,hand- carved ice slides and sculptures featuring DreamWorks Animation’s the Halls. It’s a holiday celebration you’ll never forget.

FeATuring

Two-andthree-nightpackageguestsreceiveexclusiveperks. November 16 – January 6 Book your holiday getaway today! ChristmasOnThePotomac.com or call (301) 965-4000

Shrek, , and all related characters and properties © 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. Shrek the Halls © 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. © 2012 The Coca-Cola Company.“Coca-Cola”is a registered trademark ofThe Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved. ADVERTISEMENT

pDarlington Apple Festival draws th