With its ever-increasing cultural atmosphere, and exceptional beauty, Garrett County is proud to present its inaugural Art and Wine Festival.

The event kicks off Friday night, September 9th with area restaurants offering special pre-fix wine pairing dinners and art demonstrations. The festival wouldn't be complete without area artisans displaying and selling their fine arts and crafts. The festival will also feature local area artists and artisans at The Garrett County Fairgrounds, Route 219, McHenry on Saturday, September 10th from 10am to 7pm. Hands-on activities for children, contests, live entertainment and much more will continue throughout the celebration.

The event will benefit the American Red Cross, Potomac Chapter.

Free wine tasting events, sales and tours are available both Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Deep Creek Cellars.

Just 2 hours from Pittsburgh, this Mountain Maryland winery uses a hands-on, low-tech approach to producing quality wines. Their vineyards are comprised of sustainable agriculture that benefits both customers and the Earth, which produce such classic wines as European Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, and unusual varieties such as Traminette and St. Croix.

Guests at the Art and Wine Festival also can sample a range of these and other wines from Deep Creek Cellars, as well as other Maryland wines and a variety of national wines, some hailing from California wineries.

Later this fall, Garrett County's major festival, now in its 38th year, commences Oct. 12th through the 16th. The Autumn Glory Festival offers nature at her best, with colorful displays along Maryland's mountains.

Parades, concerts, band competitions, art exhibits, and antique and craft shows are just part of the festivities to celebrate autumn's glory. The Autumn Glory Festival Kick-Off Dinner officially starts the activities on Wednesday October 12th. The Oktoberfest dinner and fireman's parade is scheduled for Thursday's events. The Official Maryland State Banjo Championship will be held Friday the 14th and the State Fiddle Championship Saturday the 15th. Both competitions begin at 7 p.m.

The Grand Feature Parade will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday with the Western Maryland Tournament of Bands following up at 6 p.m. Art and craft shows continue Sunday, with a car show, bagpipe music and a sundae eating contest. This six-day commemoration is full of fun, music, parades, historic tours, fine art exhibits, quilt shows and outdoor adventures for everyone to enjoy and partake in.

The beauty of the mountains and Deep Creek Lake provide a perfect backdrop for outdoor activities in the more than 90,000 acres of public lands. The harvest season also is the perfect time to visit working farms.

When traveling with family or friends, there is plenty to do in Maryland's western most county. From biking to wakeboarding, hiking to skiing, Garrett County offers mountains of possibilities.

For more information about Autumn Glory, the Art and Wine Festival or Deep Creek Cellars, check out www.deepcreeklifestyles.com