The Frederick County Guide 2026 Magazine

Frederick County Guide | 2026-27

Welcome to the 2026-2027 edition of the Frederick County Guide.

Every year, putting this magazine together reminds me why I love this place. Frederick County is one of those rare regions where history isn't preserved behind velvet ropes — it's woven into the fabric of daily life. You can grab a coffee on a street George Washington once traveled, hike a mountain ridge where Civil War soldiers fought, and be back in time for dinner at a restaurant that didn't exist two years ago. That combination of deep roots and genuine forward momentum is what makes this county worth writing about — and worth exploring.

This edition is packed with the people, places and stories that define Frederick County right now. We've highlighted hidden gems alongside beloved institutions, covered the towns and communities that make up this wonderfully diverse county, and tried to capture the energy of a place that keeps reinventing itself without losing what makes it special.

Whether you're a lifelong resident discovering something new in your own backyard, or a first-time visitor figuring out where to start, consider this your guide and your invitation.

There's a lot to love out here. We hope this magazine helps you find your favorite part of it!

Molly Fellin Spence, editor molly@pulsepublishing.net

A FREE ANNUAL PUBLICATION FOR THOSE ON THE MOVE AND THE RESIDENTS OF FREDERICK COUNTY. No intent was shown by the editor to be partial to any individual, group, or event. Any omission in our resource listing sections was completely unintentional. Should anyone who is not listed herein desire to be included in the next Frederick County Guide, please contact Donna Elbert at 301-662-6050, or email publisher@pulsepublishing.net.

If you are currently listed and have recently experienced an address or phone number change, please contact the editor to update your listing.

PUBLISHER

Donna S. Elbert publisher@pulsepublishing.net

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Molly Fellin Spence molly@pulsepublishing.net

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Melissa Howes-Vitek melissa@pulsepublishing.net

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Gabby Mongeau gabby@pulsepublishing.net

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ana Lazo Eastep

SALES & MARKETING advertising@pulsepublishing.net 301-662-6050, x 11

CONTRIBUTORS

Tripp Laino

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Trent Bell, Nicolas Castro, Susan O'Connor, Molly Fellin Spence, David Spence/Spence Photographics, Shea Winpigler

DISTRIBUTION distribution@pulsepublishing.net

12 S. Market Street, Suite 101 Frederick, MD 21701 p. 301-662-6050 | f. 301-662-5102 www.TheFrederickGuide.com

The Frederick County Guide is an annual publication of Pulse Publishing, LLC. Customer inquiries should be directed to Pulse Publishing, LLC. Manuscripts, drawings, photography, and other submissions must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The Frederick County Guide is not responsible for unsolicited material.

All contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any reason without prior consent of the publisher. The Frederick County Guide makes every effort to ensure accuracy of its resource listings, but does not hold responsibility for incorrect or missing information.

We wish to thank our advertisers for their continued support! Many thanks to the countless Frederick County residents and employees who offered their time and insight to add to the content of this issue.

go to keep your mind, body and soul in tip-top shape

Resources and information for 55+ residents

the awesome ways to keep yourself entertained and well fed

of unique communities. Here you can find information on these special places we call home.

POLICE FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL 911

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office

110 Airport Drive East, Frederick frederickcosheriff.com

The sheriff’s office serves as the primary law enforcement agency in Frederick County, responsible for management and operations of the adult detention center, and civil process service and security within the county courthouse. The office conducts patrol operations and is responsible for the school resource officer program. The sheriff is an elected position, with unlimited four-year terms.

24-hour Information Line: 301-600-1046

Non-Emergency Dispatch: 301-600-2071

Tips Line: 301-600-4131 or fcsotips@frederickcountymd.gov

Community Deputy Program

(Myersville, Emmitsburg, Middletown only): 301-600-6488

Fingerprinting: 301-600-4058

Records Requests: 301-600-3929

School Resource Officers: 301-600-7103

To request a patrol check, email your name, phone number, address, reason for the request and any other information that could be helpful to: FCSOPatrolChecks@frederickcountymd.gov

For vacation watch requests, at least one week in advance, email your name, phone number, address and dates requested to: FCSOPatrolChecks@frederickcountymd.gov

Frederick Police Department

100 W. Patrick St., Frederick 301-600-2101 | cityoffrederickmd.gov/99/ Frederick-Police-Department

The Frederick Police Department is a technologically innovative and progressive police agency, committed to ensuring Frederick City’s exceptional quality of life. The FPD aggressively combats crime through a variety of policing strategies, including data-driven policing, problem-solving, and community policing, working with residents, community groups, and other government entities through a systematic and community-oriented process to prevent and mitigate crime through focused law enforcement and problem-solving.

Non-emergency line: 301-600-2102

Report crime anonymously: 301-600-8477 or fpdcrimetip@ frederickmdpolice.org

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Brunswick Police Department

200 East A St., Brunswick 301-834-7500 | brunswickmd.gov/police

The Brunswick Police Department is a full-service agency committed to providing the residents of Brunswick and visitors with police services.

Non-emergency line: 301-600-2071

Customer service: 301-834-7500

Anonymous crime information: 301-969-0600

Thurmont Police Department

East End Park | 800 E. Main St., Thurmont 301-271-0905

After 4 p.m.: 301-600-2071 thurmont.com/2156/Police-Department

The Thurmont Police Department is a community-oriented and problem-solving law enforcement agency with a commitment to community policing. The department encourages a working ship between the police and the residents of the community.

Complaints or compliments may be made in person at police headquarters or via telephone at 301-271-0905.

FIRE and EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)

Frederick County Division of Fire & Rescue Services

5370 Public Safety Place, Frederick 301-600-1536 | frederickcountymd. gov/24/Division-of-Fire-Rescue-ServicesDFRS

Director/Fire Chief Thomas E. Coe tcoe@frederickcountymd.gov

The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) provides critical life safety services to the residents and visitors of Frederick County. DFRS employs 450 uniformed personnel, 16 civilian personnel and partners with hundreds of volunteer responders to serve the 664 square miles of Frederick County.

Ambulance Transport Subscription Plan

Frederick County residents are eligible to join the Ambulance Transport Subscription Club to save on out-of-pocket costs. All money collected goes to local ambulance companies.

Membership covers basic life support and advanced life support transports by Frederick County EMS. It does not cover helicopter transports and/or private ambulance transports.

To subscribe, call 301-600-6869 or 301-600-1644.

Where Where and history ride and history ride

community community

FREDERICK'S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

A Walking Tour of 300 Years of History

Few small cities can claim a downtown as historically layered as the City of Frederick’s, whose boundaries were laid out in 1745 by German settlers. Within a walkable square mile, you can find architecture spanning three centuries, sites connected to the Civil War, the American Revolution and the early republic, and a historic district that has been carefully preserved without losing its vitality.

Give yourself a few unhurried hours and explore at your own pace. Here’s a suggested list of some must-see historic stops.

Frederick City Hall

101 N. Court St

Frederick City Hall at 101 N. Court St. is one of the most historically layered stops on any walking tour of downtown. The building was erected as the Frederick County Courthouse after an 1861 fire destroyed the original 1785 Georgian courthouse, with construction completed between 1862 and 1864.

The building became Frederick’s City Hall in 1982 when the county government moved to a new courthouse.

The ground beneath this building has witnessed some of the most consequential moments in American history. This is where the first official act of defiance against the British crown took place — the 1765 Stamp Act Repudiation — nearly a decade before the Revolution began. Nearly a century later, Gov. Thomas Hicks called a special session of the Maryland Legislature here in 1861 to address the question of secession. When the courthouse burned during that session, the legislature authorized construction of the present building.

Both Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall"

Jackson and President Abraham Lincoln were visitors to this neighborhood in 1862. Francis Scott Key and Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney both practiced law on this square — two men whose legacies could not be more different, yet who walked the same ground you're standing on now.

The Barbara Fritchie House

154 W. Patrick St.

Ashort walk from the courthouse along West Patrick Street brings you to the Barbara Fritchie House. Fritchie was a 95-year-old Frederick resident who, according to legend and a famous poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, defiantly waved a Union flag from her window as Confederate troops marched through Frederick in September 1862 during the Maryland Campaign. Whether the story is entirely accurate remains a matter of historical debate — but its power as a symbol of civilian courage and loyalty endured, and Fritchie became one of the most celebrated figures of the Civil War homefront. The house is now operated as a bed-and-breakfast, so an interior tour is not possible. But walking around the historic structure, one can imagine what it might have been like to live in Civil War-era Frederick. Fritchie is buried at the nearby Mount Olivet Cemetery, on the southern edge of Downtown Frederick.

Schifferstadt Architectural Museum

1110 Rosemont Ave.

Head west on West Second Street to find one of the most remarkable buildings in Maryland — Schifferstadt, a German Colonial stone farmhouse built in 1758 by the Brunner family, German immigrants who settled in the Monocacy Valley in the early 18th century. The structure is considered one of the finest examples of German Colonial architecture in the U.S., with walls nearly 3 feet thick and construction details that have survived nearly 270 years with remarkable integrity. Now operated as an architectural museum, Schifferstadt offers guided tours that illuminate both the building's craftsmanship and the story of the German immigrant communities that shaped Frederick County's early character.

Downtown architectural gems

No walking tour of historic Frederick is complete without a stroll along Market and Patrick streets, where the bulk of the city’s shops and restaurants welcome visitors with open arms. Grab a bite and spend time finding some new treasures, but as you shop, look up. The city’s streets are full of historic architecture loaded with interesting details. A few examples include the Pythian Castle, at 20 N. Court St. Benjamin Evard Kepner, an architect responsible for many early 20th-century buildings in Frederick, designed it in 1912, with horizontal banding and castle-like elements incorporating the Gothic Revival and Beaux Art styles. At 228 N. Market, the Houck Mansion is now home to celebrated restaurant 7th Sister, but the three-story, 8,000-square-foot brick mansion was built in 1890 by the Dempwolf architecture firm as a private home for the six Houck sisters, who lived there until the last sister died in 1924. The impressive structure has rounded Roman arches, influenced by the Richardsonian Romanesque style.

Plenty more impressive buildings and history can be found downtown, as illustrated in Visit Frederick’s Architectural Walking Tour. The Frederick Visitor Center, located at 151 E. Church St., offers maps, guided tour information, and staff who can help you explore the historic district in more depth.

REAL ESTATE Homes &

Resources for buying, selling, leasing, renovating, repairing and managing.

Frederick County Association of Realtors®

490 Monocacy Blvd., Frederick 301-663-0757

fcar.org

UTILITIES

Water & Sewer

Frederick County Water & Sewer Utilities

4520 Metropolitan Court, Frederick Main: 301-600-1825

Billing: 301-600-2354

TDD: 301-600-1672

Emergencies: 301-600-2194

Natural gas

Washington Gas - Frederick Division 1800 N. Market St., Frederick 301-662-2151

Electric

Potomac Edison-FirstEnergy 800-686-0011 firstenergycorp.com

RECYCLING & WASTE

Frederick County Division of Solid Waste and Recycling

Landfill, transfer station and recycling drop off 9031 Reichs Ford Road, Frederick 301-600-1848

Facebook.com/FrederickRecycles

While 95% of the county's waste is transferred, landfill Site B is still an open sanitary landfill for Frederick County's waste management. Site A is "capped" (no longer being filled) as part of a long-term management plan and features solar panels that offset the electricity usage of three county libraries, the scale house, and the electric buses used by Frederick County Transit. The capped construction and debris cell at site A is the base for the yard waste drop-off and compost program.

Yard Waste Dropoff and Mulch Sales

A drop-off location for the collection of yard waste (loose or in paper bags) is provided at the landfill. No items such as food scraps or other household compost are accepted. Prunings and trimmings must be smaller than 6 inches in diameter, and not exceed 8 feet in length. The cost to drop off is $25 per ton, or a $10 minimum. Compost and other available yardwaste derived products can be purchased in bulk only; you must bring your own container.

BUSINESS

Working and earning in the region.

Frederick County Public Libraries Have Much to Offer Business Owners

by Tripp Laino

Though many probably think of grabbing the latest novel or taking children to storytime, Frederick’s libraries can also help your business, with ample resources for entrepreneurial success.

Though the public library may not be the first place someone thinks of when considering resources for their business, Frederick County Public Libraries staff are actually often thinking about ways they can help local businesses and nonprofits succeed.

“One of the things I love about my job is that we have such a thriving small business community and thriving nonprofit community,” said Amy Moser, assistant branch administrator for the C. Burr Artz Public Library in Downtown Frederick. “I’ve spent a lot of time working with the nonprofit community and have been working more with small businesses more recently because we have some fabulous resources.”

Moser has worked for the library for the last six years, and has been part of helping the

library to grow its work with nonprofits and small businesses.

“We’re a space for everyone,” Moser said. “We have such a thriving downtown community that’s so diverse, and we try to do everything we can to support that. We have so many small businesses and nonprofits and we’re always trying to support them.”

That support comes through a variety of resources, many of which are digital and can be accessed anywhere with a Frederick County Library card. Those resources include O’Reilly for Public Libraries, a collection of more than 40,000 e-books on topics such as technology, business and personal and professional growth, and more than 30,000 hours of video providing courses on Python, Amazon Web Services, time management, public speaking and company case studies.

Another digital resource, LinkedIn Learning, features more than 16,000 high-quality video tutorials taught by recognized industry experts on subjects such as business, design, marketing and programming languages.

You can learn more about these and other digital library resources at FCPL.org.

Of course, there’s also many resources available inside the library buildings. In addition to public computers and free WiFi, there are meeting rooms available free for nonprofit organizations, and for a nominal fee for for-profit businesses. Additionally, computers at the C. Burr Artz Library can access GrantScape, the largest and broadest grant opportunities database available. It provides opportunities across the spectrum of grantors from federal, state, local, and foundation sources. The library’s subscription to the database is funded by the Ausherman Family Foundation.

The foundation is also part of an annual event Moser coordinates, Meet the Frederick Funders, where local businesses can meet

representatives from a number of institutions that provide funding regionally, including the Community Foundation of Frederick County, the Delaplaine Foundation, Inc., the Helen J. Serini Foundation, the Kahlert Foundation, PNC Bank and United Way of Frederick County.

And of course, it’s a library, so it’s full of books, too. Moser said the library has a large selection of books for people looking to start a business, or level theirs up. Popular titles address topics like how to build a staff or how to be a more effective manager.

“We also have all of the local and State of Maryland code books,” Moser added. “For example, if you are starting a business that will serve alcohol, we have a book with all the state and local guidelines, the specific Frederick city and county codes. You don’t always think about that part of stuff but that’s a big part of it. As someone who also runs a small business with my family, there’s a lot of certification and legal stuff you have to do.”

Librarians work hard to make sure those books and legal codes are relevant and up-todate with current standards.

“My team of librarians, everyone has a section they manage,” Moser said. “We rotate our items and have guidelines for purchasing materials like, ‘How old is this resource?’ or ‘Is there a better, newer version of what we have?’ We try to make sure we have the most up-to-date version, and we’re regularly in the collection making sure things are still relevant.”

The library is committed to serving the community, and to that end, if there’s something that could help your business, you should just ask, Moser said.

“We love hearing from the community,” Moser added. “When people come to me with ideas, I’m always like, ‘How can we make this happen?’ And a lot of this is partnering with the community, or a small business to make a program succeed. We’re currently working with a program with The Trail House on hiking — we want to lift up people in the community that have something to offer so that we can help them reach a broader audience.”

Leaders Who Learn

Frederick County Leaders Offer Their Top Picks for Inspiration and Continued Education

We reached out to people in the Frederick County business community to find out what they are reading to keep themselves productive, inspired and learning. All of these recommendations are available via download on your book apps or where books are sold.

Amanda Haddaway, Managing Director at HR Answerbox, suggests:

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts By Brene'

Brown

Sarah Hurwitz Robey, Fourth generation owner and President of Colonial Jewelers, recommends: Hug Your Customers By Jack Mitchell

Debbie Ricker, President of Hood College, suggests:

All In: How the Best Managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results

By

Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton

Endia Snowden, Sr. Business Development Manager at Frederick County Office of Economic Development, recommends this business classic:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

By Stephen R. Covey

Carmen Hilton, Program Manager for the Community Development Department at the City of Brunswick, suggests:

Talking to Strangers

By

Malcolm Gladwell

SPECIAL NEEDS

Support and services for those with special needs and their caregivers

SPECIALNEEDS

Frederick County Commission on Disabilities

under the Division of Aging & Independence

1440 Taney Ave., Frederick 301-600-1234

frederickcountymd.gov/3440/ Commission-on-Disabilities

The Frederick County Commission on Disabilities meets the second Monday of each month, except August and December, in person at 6 p.m., at the Scott Key Center, 1050 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick. Enter the doors closest to the flagpole. The public is invited to attend.

Scott Key Center 1050 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick 301-600-1600

scottkeycenter.org

The Scott Key Center fosters personcentered, integrated employment opportunities and community involvement for individuals with developmental disabilities in Frederick County.

The Arc of Frederick County 620A Research Court, Frederick 555 S. Market St., Frederick 301-663-0909 arcfc.org thearcatmarketstreet.org

The Arc helps people with developmental disabilities to live enviable lives. Enviable lives are the lives we all lead, filled with purpose and meaning, and with friends and family. This is accomplished by providing services, advocacy, and creating supportive communities. The Arc at Market Street supports people with significant disabilities by offering services during the day. This program offers an engaging and active environment where people can work on learning skills and maintaining their health in addition to participating in activities in our community. The Arc at Market Street also offers job training programs for people with developmental disabilities.

The Freedom Center

1890 N. Market St., Suite 203 301-846-7811 thefreedomcenter-md.org

The Freedom Center is a consumer controlled, community based nonprofit organization committed to providing a wide array of services to assist individuals with disabilities to live independently, pursue meaningful goals, and have the same opportunities and choices as all persons. Our mission is to offer services and supports to empower individuals with disabilities to lead self-directed, independent, and productive lives in a barrier-free community.

Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)

1890 N. Market St., Suite 300 301-733-1341

Videophone: 240-439-8550

TTY: 301-600-3078

frederick@dors.state. md.us

DORS offers programs and services that help people with disabilities go to work or stay independent in their homes and communities.

Frederick County Housing and Community Development

401 Sagner Ave., Frederick 301-600-1061

frederickcountymd.gov/6366/Housing Offers information and links to numerous housing resources including Rental Allowance Program; Housing Choice Voucher; Subsidized Housing; Senior Housing; Homebuying Programs; Foreclosure Assistance; and Emergency Housing

Housing Authority of the City of Frederick 209 Madison St., Frederick 301-662-8173

hacfrederick.org

HACF is an autonomous, nonprofit public corporation created to address the need for low-income housing. It provides an array of housing options for residents by being committed to supporting strong stable communities, including Section 8 housing vouchers, public housing, Hope IV, Project Alive and Community Center.

TransIT Plus

Transit Services Division

1040 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick 301-600-2065

frederickcountymd.gov/221/Transit-plus TransIT-plus is a demand response paratransit service for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Call 301-6001725 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule a trip. Or schedule through the online portal anytime at https://transit. tripsparkhost.com/Account/Login

Disability Rights Maryland 1500 Union Ave., Suite 2000, Baltimore 410-727-6352

disabilityrightsmd.org

Disability Rights Maryland, a nonprofit organization, is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy agency (formerly known as Maryland Disability Law Center). DRM is federally mandated to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities, and provides free legal services to Marylanders of any age with all types of disabilities (developmental, intellectual, psychiatric, physical, sensory, learning, traumatic brain injury), who live in facilities, in the community or who are homeless.

ADA Center for Mid-Atlantic Region adainfo.org

The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act, tailored to meet the needs of businesses, government entities, organizations, and individuals in the Mid-Atlantic Region

(Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia).

MD Technology Assistance Project mdtap.org

The Department of Disabilities, Assistive Technology Program enhances the lives of all Marylanders with disabilities, older Marylanders, and their families by providing access to assistive technology devices and services. MDTAP offers a variety of services including assistive technology libraries across the state, AT demonstrations, consultations, shortterm device loans, a high-tech AT Reuse Center (to access gently used equipment for free), trainings, webinars, and a lowinterest financial loan program, and also provides one-on-one information and referrals to help consumers find needed disability-related services.

Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council marylandsilc.org

The Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council is a governor-appointed advisory council that promotes independent living across the state of Maryland. The Maryland SILC is composed of people with disabilities, parents of disabled individuals, representatives of advocacy groups and service providers from public and private agencies.

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council md-council.org

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council has been creating change to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities since 1971. The council focuses on children, family, and adult issues. The council is an independent state agency led by people with developmental disabilities and family members of people with developmental disabilities.

Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities mansef.org

MANSEF is a nonprofit organization of 70 nonpublic special education facilities approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. These schools, throughout Maryland, promote quality services for children and youth with disabilities. They serve more than 3,000 students between the ages of 3 and 21.

MD Coalition for Inclusive Education mcie.org

MCIE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting schools and school systems on their journey to create inclusive school communities where all children and youth feel a sense of belonging and have equitable educational opportunities that result in high levels of academic success.

Navigating Preschool: Your Guide to Early Childhood Education in Frederick County

For families with young children, navigating early childhood education can feel overwhelming — especially in a county as geographically spread out as Frederick. The good news: the county offers a range of publicly supported pre-kindergarten options, many of them free, for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds.

How Frederick County Pre-K Works

Frederick County Public Schools offers several pre-K programs for 4-year-olds who meet income eligibility requirements or qualify for classroom-based special education services through an Individualized Education Program. Programs include traditional full-day pre-K at elementary schools, an innovative model that partners with high school child development courses, and inclusive classrooms that serve children with and without identified disabilities side by side.

Pre-K is not a mandatory grade level in Maryland, so not every elementary school hosts a program. If your child's home school does not offer pre-K, FCPS pairs it with a

nearby school that does. Transportation is provided for students attending their residential school.

For 3-year-olds, services are available primarily through the inclusion pre-K model for children with identified disabilities, placed through the IEP process.

Applications are processed centrally through the FCPS Office of Early Childhood Education. For families meeting eligibility criteria, acceptance notifications typically begin each May. To apply, contact the office at PreKEnrollment@fcps.org.

Community-Based Options Across the County

In alignment with Maryland's Blueprint for Maryland's Future legislation, additional full-day pre-K seats are available through community partner programs across Frederick County. These seats are free for families who meet qualifying income criteria and serve both 3- and 4-year-olds.

Programs are available in multiple areas of the county:

• Frederick and Mount Airy areas: Celebree School of Frederick and Celebree School of Mount Airy (celebree.com)

• Urbana area: The Goddard School of Urbana (goddardschool.com)

• Walkersville area: The Learning Bee (thelearningbee.com)

• Thurmont area: Thurmont Child Care (thurmontchildcare.com)

• New Market and Middletown/Myersville areas: The Valley School, with seats at both locations (valleyplayschool.com)

• Tuscarora area: Young Horizons School (theyounghorizons.com)

Families can apply directly to any of these programs, or the FCPS Office of Early Childhood Education can help. For a broader directory of options across the county, visit aspireprek.org.

If You Don't Meet Income Eligibility Requirements

Families whose income exceeds standard eligibility thresholds may still have options. Frederick County offers a Pre-K Scholarship Program for over-income families — visit the program's website for eligibility criteria and application details. The Maryland State Department of Education also provides a Pre-K Cost Calculator to help families understand their income level and estimate any potential family cost-share.

For families seeking private preschool options, Maryland Family Network offers a free search tool to help locate licensed providers throughout the county. Some families may also qualify for childcare scholarships through the Maryland State Department of Education.

Where to Start

The earlier you begin the process, the better — seats at both FCPS and community partner programs fill quickly. A good first step is contacting the FCPS Office of Early Childhood Education at PreKEnrollment@fcps.org, which can help you determine eligibility, identify programs near your home, and navigate the application process.

Information in this article reflects program offerings as described by Frederick County Public Schools. Families should confirm current availability and eligibility requirements directly with FCPS or individual program providers, as details may change.

fcps mission

Reach our students with exceptional teaching and caring support, r Challenge them to achieve their potential. r Prepare them for success in a global society.

Fast Facts

FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (FCPS) Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson 301-696-6910

Frederick County Board of Education http://fcps.org/boe

Central Office: 191 S. East St., Frederick 301-644-5000 (General Information) • fcps.org

School bus status information: apps.fcps.org/transportation/status Find Your Local Schools: fcps.org/student-services/find-your-feeder-area1

Enrollment

47,884 as of September 2025

Employees

7,410

2,947 teachers, 191 principals or assistant principals, 233 counselors or psychologists, 1,509 instructional assistants, plus bus drivers, food service workers, custodians, office staff, and support/administrative staff.

Graduation

Class of 2025 graduation rate was 94%

Demographics

Racial/ethnic composition of student body: 47% White; 22% Hispanic/Latino; 15% Black or African American; 9% Asian; 8% Multiracial; less than 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native and Pacific Islander/ Native Hawaiian.

Elementary/Middle/High

69 schools, including 38 elementary, 13 middle, 10 high, 4 public charters, 1 alternative school, 2 special education schools, Frederick County Virtual School and a Career and Technology Center.

Budget

FY2025 Operating budget is $940,773,379 with nearly 46% of our funding coming from the local county government.

Blended Virtual Programs

Frederick County Virtual School

57 W. Frederick St., Walkersville 227-203-2980

https://fcvs.sites.fcps.org

FCPS offers a remote learning experience for grades 4-8. Teachers, using the FCPS curriculum, instruct students in a remote learning setting. RVP follows the academic calendar approved by the Board of Education of Frederick County. Students enrolled in the RVP attend live classes daily and have opportunities to participate in most extracurricular activities offered at their home school.

Home Instruction/ Homeschooling

Parents/guardians may choose to educate their children at home rather than enrolling in a traditional public or private school. Home instruction must be supervised by the FCPS home school office or by a private organization registered with the Maryland State Department of Education.

FCPS Home Instruction Office: 33 Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick homeinstruction@fcps.org

Elementary Schools

Ballenger Creek 5250 Kingsbrook Drive Frederick 227-203-1880

bces.sites.fcps.org

Blue Heron 7100 Eaglehead Drive New Market 227-203-1820

bhes.sites.fcps.org

Brunswick 400 Central Ave., Brunswick 227-203-1860 bes.sites.fcps.org

Butterfly Ridge 601 Contender Way, Frederick 227-203-1840

bres.sites.fcps.org

Carroll Manor 5624 Adamstown Road, Adamstown 227-203-1900 cmes.sites.fcps.org

Centerville 3601 Carriage Hill Drive, Frederick 227-203-1780 ces.sites.fcps.org

Deer Crossing 10601 Finn Drive, New Market 227-203-1760 dces.sites.fcps.org

Emmitsburg

300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg 227-203-1720 ees.sites.fcps.org

Glade 9525 Glade Road, Walkersville 227-203-1700 ges.sites.fcps.org

Lewistown 11119 Hessong Bridge Road, Thurmont 227-203-1620 les.sites.fcps.org

Liberty 11820 Liberty Road, Frederick 227-203-1600 lies.sites.fcps.org

Green Valley 11501 Fingerboard Road, Monrovia 227-203-1680 gves.sites.fcps.org

Hillcrest 1285 Hillcrest Drive, Frederick 227-203-1660 hes.sites.fcps.org

Kemptown 3456 Kemptown Church Road, Monrovia 227-203-1640 kes.sites.fcps.org

Lincoln 200 Madison St., Frederick 227-203-1580 lnes.sites.fcps.org

Middletown

201 E. Green St., Middletown 227-203-1560

mes.sites.fcps.org

Middletown Primary 403 Franklin St., Middletown 227-203-1540

mps.sites.fcps.org

Monocacy 7421 Hayward Road, Frederick 227-203-1520

moes.sites.fcps.org

Myersville 429 Main St., Myersville 227-203-1500 myes.sites.fcps.org

New Market

93 W. Main St., New Market 227-203-1460 nmes.sites.fcps.org

New Midway/ Woodsboro

New Midway Elementary 12226 Woodsboro Pike, Keymar 227-203-1440 woes.sites.fcps.org

North Frederick 1010 Fairview Ave., Frederick 227-203-1480 nfes.sites.fcps.org

Oakdale 5830 Oakdale School Road, Ijamsville 227-203-1420 oes.sites.fcps.org

Orchard Grove 5898 Hannover Drive, Frederick 227-203-1400 oges.sites.fcps.org

Parkway 300 Carroll Parkway, Frederick 227-203-1380 pes.sites.fcps.org

Spring Ridge 9051 Ridgefield Drive, Frederick 227-203-1340 sres.sites.fcps.org

Sugarloaf

3400 Stone Barn Drive, Frederick 240-566-1320 sues.sites.fcps.org

Thurmont 805 E. Main St., Thurmont 227-203-1300 tes.sites.fcps.org

Thurmont Primary 7989 Rocky Ridge Road, Thurmont 227-203-1280 tps.sites.fcps.org

Tuscarora 6321 Lambert Drive, Frederick 227-203-1260 tues.sites.fcps.org

Twin Ridge 1106 Leafy Hollow Circle, Mount Airy 227-203-1240

tres.sites.fcps.org

Urbana 3554 Urbana Pike, Frederick 227-203-1220 ues.sites.fcps.org

Valley 3519 Jefferson Pike, Jefferson 227-203-1200 ves.sites.fcps.org

Walkersville 83 W. Frederick St., Walkersville 227-203-1180 wes.sites.fcps.org

Waverley

201 Waverley Drive, Frederick 227-203-1160 waves.sites.fcps.org

Whittier

2400 Whittier Drive, Frederick 227-203-1140 whes.sites.fcps.org

Wolfsville 12520 Wolfsville Road, Myersville 227-203-1120 wfes.sites.fcps.org

Yellow Springs 8717 Yellow Springs Road, Frederick 227-203-1080 yses.sites.fcps.org

Middle Schools

Ballenger Creek 5525 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick 227-203-2150 bcms.sites.fcps.org

Brunswick 301 Cummings Drive, Brunswick 227-203-2200 bms.sites.fcps.org

Crestwood 7100 Foxcroft Drive, Frederick 227-203-2250 cms.sites.fcps.org

Governor Thomas Johnson 1799 Schifferstadt Blvd., Frederick 227-203-2550 gtjms.sites.fcps.org

Middletown

100 Martha Mason St., Middletown 227-203-2300 mms.sites.fcps.org

Monocacy 8009 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick 227-203-2350 moms.sites.fcps.org

New Market

125 W. Main St., New Market 227-203-2400 nmms.sites.fcps.org

Oakdale 5810 Oakdale School Road, Ijamsville 227-203-2450 oms.sites.fcps.org

Thurmont

408 E. Main St., Thurmont 227-203-2500 tms.sites.fcps.org

Urbana 3511 Pontius Court, Ijamsville 240-566-2600 ums.sites.fcps.org

Walkersville 55 W. Frederick St., Walkersville 227-203-2650 wms.sites.fcps.org

West Frederick 515 W. Patrick St., Frederick 227-203-2700 wfms.sites.fcps.org

Windsor Knolls 11150 Windsor Road, Ijamsville 227-203-2750 wkms.sites.fcps.org

High Schools

Brunswick 101 Cummings Drive Brunswick 227-203-3200 bhs.sites.fcps.org

Career & Technology Center 7922 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick 227-203-3650 ctc.sites.fcps.org

Catoctin 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont 227-203-3150 chs.sites.fcps.org

Frederick 650 Carroll Parkway, Frederick 227-203-3300 fhs.sites.fcps.org

Governor Thomas Johnson 1501 N. Market St., Frederick 227-203-3450 gtjhs.sites.fcps.org

Linganore 12013 Old Annapolis Road, Frederick 227-203-3500 lhs.sites.fcps.org

Middletown 200 Schoolhouse Drive, Middletown 227-203-3600 mhs.sites.fcps.org

Oakdale 5850 Eaglehead Drive, Ijamsville 227-203-3400 ohs.sites.fcps.org

Tuscarora 5312 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick 227-203-3100 ths.sites.fcps.org

Urbana 3471 Campus Drive, Ijamsville 227-203-3550 uhs.sites.fcps.org

Walkersville 81 W. Frederick St., Walkersville 227-203-3350 whs.sites.fcps.org

Charter Schools

Carroll Creek Montessori 1000 Spring Run Drive, Frederick. 227-203-3822

carrollcreekmontessori.org

Public charter school operated by Monocacy Montessori Communities, Inc. Pre-K-8th grades. Offers Montessori-based learning and Spanish enrichment to all grades.

Frederick Classical Charter 8445 Spires Way, Frederick 227-203-3840

Public charter school for K-8th grades. Offers a classical approach that arranges education into three stages, or the “trivium,” that roughly correspond with a student’s development. frederickclassicalcharterschool.org

Monocacy Valley Montessori 64 Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick 227-203-3860

mvmpcs.org

Public charter school operated by Monocacy Montessori Communities, Inc. Pre-K-8th grades, Offers Montessori-based learning to all grades.

Sabillasville Environmental Charter

16210-B Sabillasville Road, Sabillasville 227-203-1360

sesclassical.org

Public charter school opened in fall 2022 for grades K-6, offering a classical curriculum with a focus on environmental science and agriculture.

Specialized Schools & Programs

Earth & Space Science Lab

210 Madison St., Frederick 227-203-1742

essl.sites.fcps.org

FCPS STEM center that works with mostly elementary school groups to provide additional science learning. Also conducts community programs at its observatory and planetarium.

Heather Ridge School

1445 Taney Ave., Frederick 227-203-3880

hrs.sites.fcps.org

An educational program that provides an alternative to the traditional school in a structured environment, with

RESULTS THAT ARE WORTH THE WORK.

At Hood College, we believe every next step, breakthrough and challenge is worth the work. We’re committed to giving our students the tools they need to succeed for today and tomorrow.

Undergraduate Admission hood.edu admission@hood.edu

301-696-3131

Graduate School Admission hood.edu/graduate gofurther@hood.edu

additional therapeutic and behavioral staffing.

Outdoor School

7630 Hayward Road, Frederick 240-236-4787

sites.google.com/fcps.org/ outdoorschool/home

Provides outdoors based learning experiences for FCPS students.

Rock Creek School

55B W. Frederick St., Walkersville 227-203-3900

rcs.sites.fcps.org

Individualized special education programs for students with severe intellectual, physical, emotional, hearing, visual and learning disabilities, ages 3-21.

SUCCESS Academy

250 Madison St., Frederick 227-203-3920

fcps.orgsuccess

Secondary transition/vocational education program designed for students 18-21 years of age with disabilities.frederickclassicalcharter school.org

FREDERICK (TJ) OFFICE

87 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21702

HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Saturday, 9am–11am (by appointment only) PHONE: 301-694-0606

TEXT MESSAGES ARE PREFERRED TO: 301-205-5112

BALLENGER CREEK OFFICE

6550 Mercantile Drive, Suite 106, Frederick, MD 21703

HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-668-6347

MOUNT AIRY OFFICE

1311 South Main Street, Suite 304, Mount Airy, MD 21771

HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-829-6146

URBANA OFFICE

3500 Campus Drive, Suite 101, Urbana, MD 21704

HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-874-6107

WELLNESS

Where to go to keep your mind and body in tip-top shape

Need help?

Dial 2-1-1 for health and human resources services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 211md.org

Connects people to the human service resources they need, such as food pantries, shelter, utility and other financial assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment, programs, crisis intervention and suicide prevention, job search centers, children and family services, and more.

Frederick Community Action Agency Clinic

Primary health care clinic. Serves adults & children who are lower income, homeless, or enrolled in Medical Assistance.

Medbank Program for prescription medication assistance.

100 S. Market St., Frederick 301-600-1393 or email healthcenter@ cityoffrederickmd.gov

Mission of Mercy

301-631-2670, ext. 110 amissionofmercy.org

Mobile health care clinic. Provides medical, limited adult dental, and prenatal care at no cost. No eligibility process required. Patient prescriptions also available. Provides care in Frederick and Brunswick on rotating schedule.

Planned Parenthood

170 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 100, Frederick plannedparenthood.org

Women’s health care services: birth control/pregnancy testing, HIV/STD testing. Men’s reproductive health services. Accepts Medical Assistance and uninsured for reduced fees if income is limited.

Veterans’ Affairs Maryland

800-865-2441

https://veterans.maryland.gov

Provides medical assistance for Maryland veterans.

Frederick County Department of Aging

301-600-1605

frederickcountymd.gov/9223/ Aging-and-Independence

Offers assistance with enrollment in Medicare.

Medical Transportation

Medicaid Transportation

301-600-3124

TransIT-Plus

301-600-1725

FREDERICK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

350 Montevue Lane, Frederick

301-600-1029

health.frederickcountymd.gov

Administration

301-600-0312

Birth certificates, death certificates

Behavioral Health Services

301-600-1755

Adult evaluation & review services (AERS), adult recovery services, harm reduction services, loval behavioral health authority, prevention programs, youth support services

Mental Health Services

301-600-1755

Adult mental health services, child & adolescent mental health services

Community Health Services

301-600-1733

Cancer screening, chronic disease prevention, communicable diseases, HIV care services, immunizations clinic, maternal child health Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

301-600-2507

Free program that provides health screenings, healthy foods, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding information & support, and referrals to other health care & community agencies for pregnant women, breastfeeding moms, new moms, infants, and children under the age of 5.

Developmental Center

301-600-1611

Audiology, dental clinic, infants & toddlers, respite care, schoolbased services

Environmental Health Services

301-600-1719

Community services & development review, food control, rabies, well & septic Health Care Connection & Preparedness

301-600-8888

Administrative care coordination/ombudsman program, Maryland Children’s Health Program/Qualified Health Plans, medical assistance transportation, public health preparedness

Office of Planning, Assessment & Communication

301-600-6005

School Health Services 301-600-3312

MEDICAL CENTERS

Frederick Health Hospital 400 W. Seventh St.Frederick 240-566-3300 frederickhealth.org

Frederick Health 75 Thomas Johnson

75 Thomas Johnson Dr, Suite A, Frederick Audiology 301-695-3277

Ear, Nose & Throat Care 301-695-3100

Frederick Health Aspen Ridge 163 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite A, Frederick

Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab 240-566-3132

Frederick Health Brunswick 1194 Dutchmans Creek Dr, Brunswick Imaging 240-566-3400

Laboratory 240-566-3400

Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab 240-566-7110

Primary Care 240-215-6310

Urgent Care 240-566-7110

Frederick Health Crestwood 7211 Bank Court, Frederick Breast Center, Suite 110 301-418-6611

Imaging, Suites 100 and 101 888-601-0943

Laboratory, Suite 130 240-566-3400

Primary Care, Suite 230 240-215-6310

ProMotion Fitness, Suite 220 240-215-1470

Sleep Medicine, Suite 240 240-566-7378

Frederick Health Emmitsburg 16403 Old Emmitsburg Rd, Emmitsburg Imaging 240-566-3400

Laboratory 240-566-3400

Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab 240-566-7200

Primary Care 240-215-6310

Urgent Care 240-566-7310

Frederick Health James M Stockman Cancer Institute 1562 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick Infusion Therapy 301-694-5580

Integrative Services 240-566-4100

Oncology & Hematology 301-662-8477

Palliative Care

240-566-3031

Radiation Medicine 240-566-4500

Support Services 240-566-4100

Frederick Health Liberty 194 Thomas Johnson Drive Frederick

Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab, Suite B 301-418-6434

Primary Care, Suites A&C 240-215-6310

Frederick Health – Mt. Airy Health & Wellness Pavilion

504 E Ridgeville Blvd, Mt. Airy

Laboratory

240-566-3400

Primary Care

240-215-6310

Frederick Health

Mount Airy Health Services

1502 S. Main St., Suite 205 Mount Airy

Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab

301-829-5880

Frederick Health Myersville

3000-D Ventrie Ct., Myersville

Laboratory

240-566-3400

Primary Care

240-215-6310

Frederick Health – New Market Medical Center

10260 Silverside St, Ijamsville

Endocrine & Thyroid, Suite 200 240-215-1454

Laboratory, Suite 110 240-566-3400

Frederick Health Rose Hill 1562 Opossumtown Pike

Frederick Chest Surgery

301-694-5861

Imaging

888-601-0943

Laboratory

240-566-3400

Surgery

240-575-2526

Urology

301-663-4774

Frederick Health Toll House

501 W. Seventh St., Frederick

Comprehensive Care Center

301-360-2574

Imaging

240-566-3400

Laboratory

240-566-3400

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

301-663-9573

Palliative Care

240-566-3031

Urgent Care

301-698-8374

Frederick Health Urbana 3430 Worthington Blvd, Frederick

Imaging

240-566-3400

Laboratory

240-566-3400

Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab

301-874-4343

Primary Care

240-215-6310

Urgent Care

240-566-7300

Frederick Health Village 1 Frederick Health Way, Frederick Blood Donor Center

240-566-3700

Home Care

240-566-3568

Hospice

240-566-3030

Laboratory

240-566-3400

Medical Weight Loss

240-215-1474

Precision Medicine & Genetics

301-663-9985

Frederick Health Walkersville 15 E. Frederick St., Walkersville

Primary Care

240-215-6310

Your Wellness Directory: Health Resources Everyone Needs to Know

Building a healthy life starts with knowing where to turn. Frederick County has a strong network of health and mental health resources — but they can be hard to find if you don't know where to look. Here is a practical guide to the key services available to residents.

Frederick Health is the county's primary hospital system, operating Frederick Health Hospital as well as a network of outpatient practices and specialty clinics throughout the region. Residents without a primary care provider can search for in-network physicians accepting new patients through Frederick Health's website at frederickhealth.org. The University of Maryland Medical System also serves county residents through regional partnerships and specialty referrals.

For those who are uninsured or underinsured, Maryland's health connector at marylandhealthconnection.gov is a good place to visit. The site helps residents search

for coverage options, determine eligibility for Medicaid and other assistance programs, and connect with enrollment support.

When it comes to mental health, the Mental Health Association of Frederick County is one of the county's most important community resources. It offers peer support, mental health education, advocacy and connection to local providers, with sliding-scale fee options available for qualifying residents. Find more information at mhafrederick.org.

The Frederick County Health Department also provides mental health and substance use services to county residents, including crisis intervention and referral services. Visit

frederickcountymd.gov or call the health department directly to learn about current programs and eligibility.

The Frederick Community Action Agency provides a range of social services for residents facing hardship, including assistance programs that support overall health and stability. Its services can make a meaningful difference for families navigating financial stress, which research consistently links to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. Visit frederickcommunityaction.org for current programs.

Maryland 211 — available by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting md.211.org — connects residents to a broad range of health and human services statewide, including resources specific to Frederick County. It is one of the most useful and underused tools available to Maryland residents, covering everything from health care navigation to housing assistance to food support.

The best time to build your wellness network is before you need it urgently. Hold onto these resources, share them with a neighbor, and remember that reaching out — whether for physical or mental health — is always the right move.

Your Best Smile Starts Here

Braces and Clear Aligners for Kids, Teens, and Adults

Whether you’re considering braces or clear aligners, now is a great time to start your smile journey.

At Smile Frederick Orthodontics, we provide personalized treatment plans using advanced technology to create confident, lasting smiles. Our team proudly serves children, teens, and adults with customized care designed around your goals.

• Complimentary consultations

• Advanced digital treatment planning

• Flexible payment options

• Personalized care for every age

Growing Healthy Smiles

Gentle Dental Care from Baby Teeth to Braces

Scan to book your consultation!

7360 Guilford Drive, Suite 101 Frederick, MD 21704

301-788-2522

Healthy smiles start with regular dental care. Schedule your child’s next visit and help build a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.

At Pediatric Dental Center of Frederick, we provide compassionate, kid-friendly dental care in a welcoming environment designed just for children. From first teeth to growing smiles, our team focuses on prevention, education, and comfort at every visit.

Preventive and restorative care

Infant and toddler visit

Friendly, experienced pediatric team

Stress-free, comfortable appointments

7360 Guilford Drive Suite 102

Frederick, MD 21704

301-668-2662

Scan to schedule your child’s first visit!

Mental Health Care, Tailored to You

Personalized Care Flexible Options

Expert Team

Resources and information for 55+ residents

Frederick County 50+ Community Centers. frederickcountymd.gov/ 8075/50-Community-Centers

The county’s 50+ Community Centers offer a variety of fitness classes such as strength training, yoga, Zumba, and line dance, in addition to social, recreational, and educational program such as discussion groups, book clubs, film club, drawing class, and health and nutrition programs.

Brunswick Center 12 E. A St., Brunswick 301-834-8115

Emmitsburg Center

300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg 301-600-6350

Frederick Center

1440 Taney Ave., Frederick 301-600-3525

Middletown Center 101 Prospect St., Middletown 301-600-3613

Urbana Center 9020 Amelung St., Urbana 301-600-7020

Frederick County Senior Recreation Council srcfrederick.org

A nonprofit volunteer organization operating under the Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation, this group of seniors gets together to promote wellness offering activities for mind and body to Frederick County residents who are 50 years and older.

Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence

1440 Taney Ave., Frederick 301-600-1234

frederickcountymd.gov/54/Agingand-Independence

Medicare Resources/Information 800-633-4227

Medicaid - Medical Assistance Program 301-600-4575

Supporting Older Adults through Resources, Inc. (SOAR) 240-575-9665 soarfrederick.org

A nonprofit dedicated to serving Frederick County’s 65 and older community whose monthly incomes do

not exceed $2,100 through either direct financial assistance or by accessing other resources on their behalf.

Telephone Reassurance Program fcmha.org/how-we-help/ reassurance 301-663-0011

A regular phone call, a caring listener and a friendly connection for Frederick County Senior Citizens. A trained, caring listener calls at a scheduled time on a regular basis to talk about what’s going on in your life, get you help if you need it, and connect you to the services you need to be as independent as possible. Frederick County residents who are 60 years of age or older and are: living alone and have few regular contacts; couples, at least one of whom is disabled; temporarily homebound following an illness, surgery, or hospital stay; or alone while regular caregivers are out of town are eligible.

Thurmont Senior Center 806 E. Main St., Thurmont 301-271-7911 thurmontseniorcenter.org

AMUSEMENTS

All the awesome ways to keep yourself entertained and well fed

F REDERICK A RTS C OUNCIL

The Frederick Arts Council (FAC) envisions a Frederick County where the arts propel the economy, enhance education, and enrich the lives of its citizens. In its 50th year, the FAC celebrates the transformative power of the arts through a blackeyed Susan theme which offers messages of hope, truth, resilience and healing.

For five decades, the FAC has worked to provide support and opportunities to artists and arts organizations through grants and scholarships, professional development, and diverse arts projects. Most recently FAC has unveiled a Bees-Wax and Black-Eyed Susan room at the YMCA Ausherman Arts Center, a vibrant tribute to its 50th anniversary.

The impact of the Frederick Arts Council reaches far and wide across Frederick County with various programs and initiatives. These include arts and education grants that connect students with artists, community arts development grants to support local organizations, and individual artist awards that recognize talent and creativity.

In addition to grants and advocacy, FAC creates opportunities for residents and visitors to engage directly with the arts. Signature events like the annual Festival of the Arts showcase a multitude of different artists and art forms that attracts thousands. Art in the Park encourages artist exploration in the community settings of a Frederick Keys game at Harry Grove Stadium. A significant project of the FAC is the Sky Stage, a unique outdoor performance venue in the heart of downtown Frederick that hosts music, dance, theatre, and various other community events for the public.

The vision FAC has for the public art initiative is a Frederick where public art connects residents and visitors, expresses an authentic and unique sense of place, drives economic prosperity through creativity, and advances a culturally inclusive and empowered future. Community members can celebrate FAC’s anniversary by purchasing a Black-Eyed Susan public art piece. They are currently available for pre-

Pre-order

CELEBRATES 50 YEARS of Advancing theArts in Frederick

order on GiveButter.com. The 500 metal-stamped flowers by Lusmerlin Lantigua are displayed across various locations in Frederick County, with the inaugural site positioned prominently in front of the YMCA Ausherman Art Center at 115 E Church St, Frederick.

As the FAC reflects on 50 years of celebrating the arts, it remains focused on gaining community support to help sustain the programs, events, and opportunities that make the art scene in Frederick County so vibrant and diverse. One way to support

County

FAC’s mission is through membership. Members play a vital role in strengthening the local arts community and ensure that the FAC can continue investing in artists, art programs, students, and organizations.

The commemorative flowers for the black-eyed Susan public art project in collaboration with artist Lusmerlin Lantigua honor the organization’s legacy and symbolize the resilience of the FAC after 50 years. Residents and visitors can also buy tickets to the FAC’s 50th anniversary gala taking place November 7th at New Spire Arts.

Arts Council, visit www.frederickartscouncil.org.

27 Things to Do in Frederick in 2027

There’s never a shortage of unique and interesting things to do in Frederick County, Maryland, no matter the season. Whether you’re looking to cool off, warm up, grab a drink, relax with friends or go on an adventure, there’s quite literally something for everyone here. We’ve compiled 27 of our favorite ways to spend time in our favorite region below.

1 Catch a Flying Cow. Frederick is home to its own professional basketball team, the Flying Cows, who play at Hood College. Find out how to catch a game at goflyingcows.com.

2

Meet a baseball-playing coyote named Keyote. If baseball's more your thing, the Frederick Keys play at Harry Grove Stadium in spring and summer, with mascot Keyote cheering them on. Get more info and tickets at mlb.com/milb/frederick.

3

Grab a scoop. Follow Middletown’s Ice Cream Trail (mainstreetmiddletown.org) or venture out on your own to find local ice cream in Downtown Frederick and beyond.

4Raise a glass. Dozens of craft breweries, local distilleries and wineries are ready to pour you a pint, a glass or a cocktail. Find them at homegrownfrederick.com/breweries

5Seek out something sweet. A bevy of talented local bakers have opened up shop around the county, turning out pastries, cakes, sourdough loaves and more.

6Jump in the river! River & Trail Outfitters has two locations — in Knoxville and Brunswick — where you can launch a wet and wild adventure. Learn more at rivertrail.com.

7

Hit the Great Frederick Fair. Every September, the county's rich agricultural roots come alive with farm animals, fair food, amusement rides and live entertainment during this weeklong tradition. thegreatfrederickfair.com.

8

Stroll Carroll Creek. Built as a flood control measure, Carroll Creek has become one of Downtown Frederick's most beloved attractions. In spring and summer, Color on the Creek fills it with water garden blooms; in winter, Sailing Through Winter Solstice lights up the night. coloronthecreek.com

9

Spend a day at Baker Park. Established nearly 100 years ago, Baker Park's 58 acres offer biking, walking, running and play, plus Sunday night concerts and Food Truck Fridays. friendsofbakerpark.org

10 Ride the Skate Spot and Pump Track. Middletown Park's 13,538-square-foot multi-use space is designed for skaters and riders of all skill levels.

11Explore Brunswick's railroad past. The Brunswick Heritage Museum traces the town's journey from its Native American roots through the transformative impact of the B&O Railroad and C&O Canal. brunswickmuseum.org

12Stay somewhere historic. Frederick's Visitation Academy — nearly 200 years old — has been transformed into Visitation Hotel, a boutique experience featuring the Wye Oak Tavern, where chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio offer culinary delights. visitationhotel.com

13Visit a saint's shrine. Emmitsburg is home to the Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first Americanborn saint, offering history lovers and inspiration seekers a place for reflective exploration. setonshrine.org

14 Play at Sophie and Madigan's Playground. One of the region's most unique playgrounds sits off Butterfly Lane in Frederick — a 5,000-plus square foot space honoring the Lillard family's beloved daughters, with a castle, a tea party and a treehouse. sophieandmadigansplayground.com

15Explore the library. Frederick County Public Libraries offer books for every mood — and you can even file paperwork for your passport. fcpl.org

16Pick your own. From strawberries and blueberries to peaches, apples and pumpkins, many Frederick farms offer pickyour-own experiences throughout the growing season.

17Watch a high-wheel bike race. Every other July on Frederick's Market Street, the National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race offers a spectacle unlike any other cycling event. 2027 is your next chance to catch the race. highwheelrace.com

18

Celebrate the seasons outdoors. In September, head to In the Street in Downtown Frederick (celebratefrederick. com) In October, walk the streets of Thurmont for Catoctin Colorfest (catoctincolorfest.org) or celebrate Brunswick at Railroad Days (brunswickrailroaddays.org).

19Follow Civil War history. At the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, trace the footsteps of soldiers and surgeons to discover the harsh conditions and brilliant innovations that continue to save lives today. civilwarmed.org

20

Shop local. Unique boutiques fill the downtowns of Frederick, Brunswick, Middletown and Thurmont, where your next favorite treasure is waiting.

21Adopt your new best friend. Dogs, cats, rabbits and more are waiting for homes at the Frederick County Animal Control shelter. frederickcountymd.gov/114/Adopt.

22

Catch a show. The Maryland Ensemble Theatre offers MainStage productions, comedy shows and family-friendly performances from its FUN Company. marylandensemble.org.

23Learn iron history. The Museum of the Iron Worker shares the stories of the men and women — enslaved and free — who toiled in Frederick County's iron industry from 1776 to 1903. catoctinfurnace.org/ironworker

TOP TO BOTTOM: 15.COURTESY OF FREDERICK PUBLIC LIBRARY. 16. ISTOCKPHOTO. COM. 17-18. COURTESY OF VISITFREDERICK.ORG. 19. COURTESY OF CIVILWARMED. ORG. 20. PHOTO BY SUSAN O'CONNOR.. 21. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM. 22. COURTESY OF MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE. 23. PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF THE IRON WORKER.

24Take a ride on The Big Slide. In rural Rocky Ridge, the Big Slide at Mount Tabor Park — a 40-foot-tall wooden slide built by volunteers more than 70 years ago — is still waiting for you and a burlap sack.

25Hike to Cunningham Falls. Just outside Thurmont, Cunningham Falls State Park is home to Maryland's largest cascading waterfall. The half-mile Falls Trail is accessible for families and stunning year-round, with peak color in October and lush greenery through the summer months. dnr.maryland.gov

26Explore Monocacy National Battlefield. Just south of Frederick, the Monocacy National Battlefield preserves the site of an 1864 Civil War battle often credited with saving Washington, D.C. Walking trails, a visitor center and preserved farmland make it a rich and accessible day trip for history lovers of all ages. nps.gov/mono

27Ring in the New Year in a New Way. Frederick doesn't drop a ball on New Year's Eve — it drops a Key. Head to Carroll Creek to join the countdown. visitfrederick.org

TOWNS About

BRUNSWICK

The City of Brunswick, nestled on the banks of the Potomac River along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, is known for its many outdoor activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, camping, hiking and biking, and as a hub for train enthusiasts. Here you can train spot on a viewing platform by the rails, visit a historic caboose, and tour a vibrant heritage museum highlighting the city’s long history as a railroad and canal town. Once known as German Crossing, then as Berlin, the city was founded in 1787 by Leonard Smith. In April 1890 the city got its official

name as Brunswick, chosen by the B&O Railroad to create a new identity as an important railroad center. That same year the population had doubled due to railroad construction and in 1900, the city’s commerce center was established and the population was listed at 2,471. By the 1960s, railroad operations began to decline until the railyard finally ceased operations in 1980. Brunswick turned into a largely “bedroom community” and today about 40% of the population commuting outside Frederick County for work, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

brunswickmd.gov • facebook.com/brunswickmd

City Stats

As of 2020 U.S. Census

Talk of the Town

r Claim to FAME

Brunswick Community Carnival

Live music and activities including a petting zoo, face painting, food, vendors and a balloon artist, at the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Hall. The carnival is normally held in late June.

Railroad Days

On the first weekend of October the city celebrates its rich railroad history. Visitors can enjoy model train displays, roundtrip train rides, craft and food vendors and musical entertainment over two days, rain or shine.

Veterans Day Parade

One of the oldest and Maryland’s largest parade in observance of Veterans Day. This celebration weaves through downtown Brunswick honoring those who have served in the armed services.

We came for Halloween for the trunk or treat, and my kids loved it. We really like the community and what they do in the community. We love the community feel. It seemed like the whole town was here for Halloween! I love the old town feeling of it, and I love the old architecture.

Jorge Tejada and his canine friend Resident

EMMITSBURG

Emmitsburg, nestled at the foot of the Catoctin mountains, was incorporated in the early 1800s. Home to the first American-born saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg is where Seton established the first Catholic school in the U.S., that grew into St. Joseph College. The property is now home to the U.S. Fire Service’s National Fire Academy and the National Fallen Firefighters

Memorial. A short drive away is Mount Saint Mary’s University, a private Catholic university that offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, minors, concentrations, and special programs as well as master’s programs, and postgraduate certificate programs. The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, which continues to be operated by the Daughters of Charity, is open nearby.

emmitsburg.gov

Town Stats

age 25+ with a bachelor’s

or higher

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Farmers Market

Annual farmers market runs late June through early October each Friday, 3-6 p.m., at 302. S. Seton Ave. emmitsburgmd.gov/ residents/farmersmarket.php

Community Heritage Day

Late June: Annual celebration at E. Eugene Myers Community Park featuring a frisbee golf tournament, bike rides and bike rodeo, horseshoe contest, traditional field games, live music, children’s activities and rides, craft and vendor show, parade, music at the bandstand, a beer garden and fireworks. emmitsburgevents.com

Talk of the Town

This place is a lot for a little. A lot of history, and a lot of community jam packed in a very small town. The history here, particularly Catholic history, a lot started here. We have the second oldest seminary in the United States.” And fun fact: “the old school nursing caps were modeled after what the sisters wore. They started setting a lot of modern nursing standards. Particularly in the Civil War, when they were sent to take over churches and town buildings to aid wounded soldiers from both sides. Things like dressings, changing bed sheets. They were among the first in our country to write down basic medical practices. That started in Emmitsburg. In the middle of nowhere. So random.”

Becca

Corbell Associate

Programs Director

National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

FREDERICK

The City of Frederick was originally laid out in 1745 and called Frederick Town. Historians believe the city was named for Frederick Calvert, the 6th lord baron of Baltimore, though some believe it may have been named for Frederick Louis, the prince of Wales. During the Civil War, Frederick was witness to three Confederate invasions, 38 skirmishes and two

major battles (South Mountain and Monocacy) as hundreds of thousands of soldiers marched through the city. Today, Frederick is the county seat and home to a vibrant downtown business district with numerous boutiques, specialty shops, award-winning restaurants, breweries, distilleries and more.

cityoffrederick.com • downtownfrederick.org

City Stats

Residents age 25+ with at least a high school diploma: 89%

Residents age 25+ with a bachelor’s degree or higher 40.6%

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Frederick’s 4th

July 4: The largest Independence Day celebration in Frederick County, with two stages of entertainment alongside family-friendly rides, activities, food and fireworks. celebratefrederick.com/events/ fredericks-fourth

National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race

Mid-July: Racers ride antique or modern high wheel bicycles in a criterium (multi-lap) race of along a 0.4-mile route through historic Downtown Frederick to determine the National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race champion. highwheelrace.com

In the Streets

Second Saturday in September: The festival began in 1983 after major renovations closed Market Street for several months. When the dust settled Mayor Ron Young decided to hold a festival for the entire community to encourage reinvestment in downtown. Today, the oneday festival invite attendees to explore historic Downtown Frederick, while offering a sampling of diverse food, entertainment, art and nonprofit resources. celebratefrederick.com/events/in-the-street/

Talk of the Town

There’s always something to do. On weekdays and weekends. There’s great restaurants, shopping, wineries, breweries... There’s always events going on, and everyone is friendly. We’ve had a business here for 40 years, and everyone is always on the same page with supporting each other.

Catie Hicks Owner of Trail House

MIDDLETOWN

The Town of Middletown was founded in 1767. A young Lt. George Washington surveyed the South Mountain area and commented that the Middletown Valley was one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen. Andrew Jackson once said that the Middletown Valley was “one of the most favored and delightful spots on the earth.” The Revolutionary and Civil wars passed through Middletown along Main Street, also known as the Old National Pike, turning homes and churches into headquarters and hospitals. Middletown is a Maryland Heritage Area and is

part of the official Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. Main Street Middletown has always been filled with businesses that help to support the surrounding farming community. This is still true today, and the farms in turn support the community with a wide variety of fresh produce, meat, dairy, wine, mead, cider, florals, pumpkins, Christmas trees, and more. Middletown is a beautiful, historic small town that sports more than 200 years of architectural history, and views and sunsets worth stopping to admire.

middletown.md.us • mainstreetmiddletown.org • facebook.com/mainstreetmiddletownmd

Town Stats

Talk of the Town

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Color Me Spring

End of May: Annual celebration in Middletown Community Park, sponsored by the Middletown Rec Council. Includes craft and food vendors and music.

Independence Day Celebration

Annual celebration of July 4, ending with one of the best fireworks displays in the county, based out of Middletown Park.

Middletown Heritage Festival

Family-friendly activities include Civil War musket firing demonstrations, kids crafts and a pie-eating contest, live music, food and craft vendors along Middletown’s Main Street. middletownheritagefestival.com

Color Me Autumn

End of October: Annual celebration in Middletown Community Park, sponsored by the Middletown Rec Council. Includes craft and food vendors, music, trick or treating, and inflatables.

Christmas in the Valley

First Saturday in December: Festivities include caroling, lighting of the town’s Christmas tree, story time with Mrs. Claus, photos with Frosty, a visit from Santa Claus, and Christmas music at Zion Lutheran Church. After the show enjoy punch and Christmas cookies in the church social hall.

It’s the perfect size. We have a really nice downtown, but it’s not huge like Frederick. As soon as the sun comes out, everyone is out and walking around, and the fall leaves in Middletown are amazing! I’ll just sit here. There are so many colors. It’s so nice. Plus, the people are really friendly. I don’t think I’ve met a single mean person.

Sofia Dominesy Manager of Abbracío

BY

Main Street MIDDLETOWN

Some streets ask you to slow down. Main Street Middletown is one of them.

There’s a particular kind of afternoon that only exists in towns like this — when the light catches the storefront windows just so, and the road ahead opens up into rolling farmland and views to South Mountain.

Wander past history written into the architecture, then duck into a shop where the owner knows every item by name — because they chose it. Linger over a meal where the

ingredients likely came from the fields you can see from the table. Here, “locally owned” isn’t a marketing phrase; it’s simply how things work.

And those views - a reminder that some of the most beautiful places are the ones that never tried to be.

Come for an afternoon. You’ll start planning your return before you leave.

For more information visit mainstreetmiddletown.org

MOUNT AIRY

Originally known as Parr’s Ridge, the Town of Mount Airy got its name in the 1850s, when a B&O Railroad brakeman whose ears were freezing from the cold air which crosses Parr’s Ridge. He suggested the name Mount Airy would be appropriate, and the townspeople agreed. Today, the town is a nationally accredited

Main Street Maryland Community and holds the State of Maryland’s esteemed Community Legacy designation. Downtown Mount Airy has small-town charm, with quaint old buildings and plenty of community and cultural events, retail establishments, antique and craft collectible shops, cafés and restaurants.

mountairymd.gov • @townofmountairy • facebook.com/TownofMountAiry

Town Stats

Talk of the Town

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Restaurant Week

Early April: The town’s best restaurants prepare memorable meals at a fixed price for everyone from local residents to regional foodies to enjoy.

Celebrate Mount Airy

Last Saturday of August: Brick and mortar businesses, nonprofits, and community groups from the 21771 set up free vendor spaces.

A Main Street Christmas

First Saturday of December: An old-fashioned Main Street Christmas with a tree lighting and Santa parade.

This is a wonderful park. It’s changed a lot since I was a kid. They have done so much to it. I feel like it’s a great place to hang out, having all this open land, the trails, the sports fields, and the playground. It’s great for people of all ages. I love it. I grew up around here, and there’s a lot to do. There’s a lot of shopping, restaurants… but you‘re still in touch with all the rural areas. So it feels like you’re a little bit out in the country, but everything is accessible. It’s a beautiful area.

Megan Viator

Watkins Park Visitor and Mt. Airy Native

NEW MARKET

Known as the Antiques Capital of Maryland, the Town of New Market was incorporated in 1878, but had its beginnings in 1793, when the Smith Tavern, the oldest building in town limits, was constructed. Located on what was originally one of the major east-west routes from Baltimore and Frederick to the west, New Market’s Main Street is built on the Old National Pike, also known as U.S. Route 40 or Maryland Route 144. New Market is a well-maintained

linear town with historical structures that have evolved with the times. The town is propelled by volunteers on the Historic Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, New Market Civic Partnership, the Events Committee, Green Team, Rotary Club, the Philanthropic Lodges, the Grange and the Town Council. It is a place for unique boutiques, vibrant parks and private gardens. Every alley has a little something to share with residents and visitors alike.

townofnewmarket.org • facebook.com/newmarketevents

Town Stats

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Linganore-New Market Community Show

Early October: Youth and adults enter exhibits for judging, showing off their talents in canning, baking, sewing, needlework, photography and farm and garden products. https://lnmcs.com/

Christmas in New Market

First weekend of December: Kick off the holiday season with a parade down Main Street and free events, including live music, a Christmas market with 30 local merchants, a visit with Santa Claus, a decorated tree auction and lighting of the town Christmas tree.

It’s a nice town. Everybody knows each other. It’s a great place. Great town. Great people. The Lighthouse is my bread and butter. I love seafood. I love sharing what I know with everybody else and sharing seafood with everybody, too. It’s always been a passion of mine. We have a very dedicated crowd that likes to come out, and they love to support us. Summertime is really when things pick up” because of what you’re thinking… “crab season.” Every Friday, Matteo goes Live on their Facebook page to show the community what they’ve got in stock, plus the deals, specials, and new products of the week. He also provides insight into ways you can prepare your seafood and details on flavor profile and sourcing.

Matteo Marangio Manager of Lighthouse Seafood and Deli

THURMONT

The original name of Thurmont was Mechanicstown, and it was incorporated with that name in 1751. It wasn’t until January 1894 that its name was changed to Thurmont by an act of the Maryland General Assembly. The Western Maryland Railroad was a big part of the name change due to its decision to rename the town’s railroad station because of confusion over nearby stops for Mechanicsburg and Mechanicsville.

The original choice for the new name – Blue Mountain City – was rejected by the railroad, and so the second-choice name, Thurmont, prevailed. Presidents started visiting the area after the federal government established the presidential retreat now known as Camp David in 1942 in Catoctin National Park. It was originally named Shangri La by Franklin Roosevelt before Dwight Eisenhower renamed the site.

thurmont.com

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Town Stats

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Colorfest

Second weekend in October: Local art, jewelry, crafts and a variety of delicious food are just a few of the fun things you will find at this annual event, one of the largest outdoor craft shows on the East Coast held as the area’s vibrant leaves are changing. Attending is free, but fees are charged for parking. colorfest.org

We’ve lived here for two years now. What I love most about Thurmont is all the things to do outdoors, including one of these spots, and the easy access to the highway. We’re not too far out, but we get to experience some more quiet. I like that solitude and extra space.” Millie asked if I wanted to hang out, and Anthony remembered “Oh, and Color Fest! Color Fest was so fun. There’s this huge festival where a bunch of people come and bring arts and crafts and antique things they sell, and it’s so cute. They have their stands and it’s at Thurmont Park, right over on Main Street.”

Anthony and Millie Skateboarders

Thurmont is home to the Presidential Retreat Camp David

There are 6 sanctioned covered bridges that are deemed historical under the Maryland Historical Trust and 3 are in the Thurmont zip code

Thurmont is home to a state park, Cunningham Falls State Park, and a national park, Catoctin Mountain Park and both sit side by side on Route 77. Cunningham Falls State Park has the highest cascading waterfall in the state of Maryland

Thurmont Main Street is a designated Maryland Main Street community under the state of Maryland, and a certified National Main Street under the Trust for Preservation

Jonathan Apples

Stayman Apples

Magness Pears

Cortland Apples

Pink Lady Apples

Seckel Pears

Bartlett Pears

Bosc Pears

Concord Grapes

Stay in a restored stone ironworker’s cottage in Catoctin Furnace, featuring three bedrooms with period furniture, a large stone fireplace, private deck and a modern kitchen and bath.

For more information and reservations, go to: catoctinfurnace.org/forgemanshouse

Visit the Museum of the Ironworker 10am-4pm Saturday & Sunday Summer Hours 10am-4pm, Wednesday-Sunday

Fallfest

Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10

Spirits of the Furnace Saturday, October 17

Traditional Village Christmas Saturday, December 5

Theatre in the Furnace: A Revolutionary Christmas Saturdays, December 5 and December 12

Museums by Candlelight Saturday, December 12

In Their Own Voices Wednesday, February 24, 2027

Maryland Iron Festival Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16, 2027

Juneteenth Saturday, June 19, 2027

Fourth at the Furnace July 4 weekend, 2027

Details of all events can be found at catoctinfurnace.org

URBANA

The Urbana area was first settled in 1730. Though not an official city or town, the area known as Urbana has a total area of about 6.6 square miles in southeastern Frederick County, centered at the intersection of Routes 80 and 355. Interstate 270 forms the southwestern edge of the community. In 1999 the area’s population began to grow exponentially with the construction of two developments, the Villages of Urbana and the

Urbana Highlands. In 2006, the Urbana Regional Library and Senior Center opened on Amelung Street. In 2012, Urbana District Park was completed. Comprised of 95 acres, the park includes athletic fields for football, lacrosse, baseball, softball and other sports, as well as walking and biking trails, picnic pavilions and playgrounds. In 2021, the Natelli Family YMCA was opened in Urbana, complete with an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Town Stats

Talk of the Town

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Urbana Volunteer Firemen’s Community Carnival

Annually in mid-July: The annual carnival, a fundraiser for the fire department, includes food, games, rides, fireworks, nightly entertainment and a beer garden. Admission and parking are free.

I like Urbana because of the people. Everyone is pretty cool here, they’re friendly, and I like working with them. We get a lot of regulars in the bar. The camaraderie between the guests and our employees is great. We have the best team here, you know, from any restaurant I’ve worked at before. We have pizza specials on Mondays, if you could sneak that in there.” No need to be coy. I’ll shout about pizza specials from any rooftop in town.

Aaron Southam General Manager at Atlantic Grille

WALKERSVILLE

Walkersville is named for John Walker, who bought property in 1814 and farmed the land. He later sold off lots for the town, which was joined in 1880 with nearby Georgetown. Walkersville was incorporated in 1892 and has grown steadily since that time. Fountain Rock Park, a county park at a former rock quarry that was in use from 1872 until 1955, has a

nature center and hiking trails, and Heritage Farm Park, on Devilbiss Bridge Road just outside town, has ballfields and picnic areas and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Two bridges over the Monocacy River near Walkersville are on Biggs Ford and Devilbiss Bridge roads. Both are named for early settlers in the area.

walkersvillemd.gov • facebook.com/WalkersvilleOurTown

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rWalkersville Days

Third Saturday in May: Walkersville Day is an annual event with a main focus on individual yard sales, flea markets and food sales through churches and local businesses. walkersvilledays.com

Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co. Carnival

First week of July: Rides, food, games, huge fireworks display, live music and ride ticket sales. walkersvillefire.com

Talk of the Town

The community is nice. I’ve been part of it for 30-plus years. We’ve had this business since 2022, but we’ve been here since the 80s. We serve chicken, subs, pizza, everything. It’s a close-knit community. Everyone’s pretty close, and pretty much everyone knows everyone. Like a small-town feeling.

Said Hami Co-Owner of Louie’s Famous Chicken & Subs

BURKITTSVILLE

MYERSVILLE

Burkittsville, established in 1824, is a virtually unchanged example of an American townscape of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the town was a service center for the rural area around it. Today, Main Street’s buildings are still bordered by fields of crops and dairy farms, but there are no longer any commercial establishments in the town. Burkittsville became closely involved with the Civil War when forces of the Union and Confederate armies engaged in the Battle of Crampton’s Gap, a bloody prelude to the Battle of Antietam. In 1999, the town got its 15 minutes of national fame when it was used as the setting of the horror film “The Blair Witch Project.” burkittsville-md.gov

ROSEMONT

Rosemont, which has a total area of 0.56 square miles, is a village in southern Frederick County, one mile southeast of Route 340 and one mile north of the Potomac River. The quiet residential community was incorporated in 1953, when a group of residents joined together to strategize how to prevent Southern States Cooperative from building a mill in the community. Fifty-five residents signed a petition for a Circuit Court injunction against the building and operation of the mill, citing problems related to traffic, health, water supply, pollution, and property values. The court issued the injunction, the governor signed a bill for incorporation of the Village of Rosemont. Today, views of rolling farmland and mountains contoured by Harper’s Ferry Gap in West Virginia add to the tranquility of the town. sites.google.com/site/rosemontmd

Myersville, incorporated in 1904, was once a busy community with stores, warehouses, craftsmen, physicians and two banks. The incorporation of the town came just a few years after the incorporation of the Myersville and Catoctin Railway Company in 1898, which brought the railway to town. The history of Myersville in the first half of the 20th century is intertwined with that of the trolley and its extension to Myersville. In 1968 Interstate 70 was extended to run through town, and by 1970, the town population grew by 30%. In 2000, Myersville was named the fastest growing municipality in the state. Today, Myersville is located halfway between Frederick and Hagerstown, with convenient access from Interstate 70 to the south and U.S. Route 40 to the north, yet buffered from both by a mile of local road. The location and beautiful, hilly terrain combined to make the town an attractive location for residential development during the last decades of the 20th century. myersville.org

WOODSBORO

Laid out in 1786, the town now known as Woodsboro was initially named Woodsberry or Woodsberrytown. It later became Woodsborough, before finally settling on Woodsboro. Early history suggests that the Woodsboro area was a hunting and trapping ground for a wandering tribe of Susquehanna Indians. From early times, the settlement was located at a crossroads on the Indian trail running from the Chesapeake Bay to the mountains. When the stagecoach became the primary mode of transportation, the place became an important stop on its itinerary. Today, Woodsboro is still primarily an agricultural area, but an important industry is centered on the three lime quarries that border the town. woodsboro.org

Rustic Elegance & Historic Charm

Perched atop one of the highest ridgelines in Gettysburg, framed by historic wood and stone architecture and stunning views of historic Gettysburg battlefields and Hunter Lake, The Lodges at Gettysburg is a destination unlike any other in the area.

It’s peaceful here with a timeless tranquility and rustic elegance that settle you into a relaxed state of mind. Beautifully maintained grounds and lodging are surrounded by 63 acres of rolling Gettysburg countryside, the perfect backdrop for family vacations, outside-the-box meetings and romantic weddings with a dash of historic charm.

685 Camp Gettysburg Road

Gettysburg, PA 17325 717-642-2500

www.thelodgesatgettysburg.com

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