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The Best Day of the Year



Let’s talk about perspective. Have you ever seen this New Yorker magazine cover?


Original drawing for View of the World from 9th Avenue, Saul Steinberg, March 29, 1976

It’s a humorous look at how New Yorkers comprehend the world and their place in it. There’s what’s important, and then…there’s everything else. 

This is my way of saying that, while there are an impressive number of events going on in HoCo today, for me there’s really only one thing: the Oakland Mills Fall Festival. Or you could say there’s my Village Festival up close and in detail, and then there’s everything else. I confess to my skewed perspective.



It’s one of my favorite days of the year in Oakland Mills. The day kicks off at eleven am with the Oakland Mills High School Band. New this year: Poms! The Festival runs from 11 - 4 but for me it just isn’t festival day unless I hear the band. Warning: if you talk while the band is playing I just might give you my Teacher Look.

From OMCA:

The Oakland Mills Fall Festival is October 5th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! And this year, the weather is looking mighty fine, so we will be OUTSIDE! Come enjoy some great food, cOMmUnity, performers (including the OMHS Marching Band), vendors, and kids' activities. And if you want to bike to the festival, park your bike at the Bike HoCo Bike Corral for free (in the festival parking lot, near the bus stop and Interfaith Center). See you at the Festival!

If you like to scope out events in advance, here’s the Fall Festival website.

And yes, there will be live music throughout the day. Come enjoy the performances in our lovely courtyard. The Stevens Forest PTA will be back again this year selling their tasty hot dogs as well as chili, chips, and drinks. There will be other food vendors on site but I’m a sucker for chili dogs.



If you’ve never been to the Oakland Mills Village center, or perhaps have never made it to the Fall Festival, I hope you will stop by. I have found over the last twenty-odd years or so that many of the folks with confirmed opinions about my village have never actually been here. Of course, not every day can be a festival day, but, the essence of what makes a good community is here every day: the people. Come meet some today! 

In a spirit of giving a nod to “everything else” - - 

Markets: Clarksville Commons, Free Town Farm, Maple Lawn 

AACR Homecoming: A Celebration of Resilience, Resistance & Advancement!

Autism Society of Maryland Walk and 5K Run

Church of the Ressurection Community Fall Festival 

Navigating Freedom At Robinson Nature Center 

Saint Matthew’s Church Multicultural Festival 

Ellicott City Wizarding Weekend on Magical Main


And there may very well be more. You may even be the adventurous sort who hits up multiple events in one day! 

As for me, if I get to hear the OMHS Marching Band, have a chili dog, connect with neighbors, and enjoy a Fall Day…well, that will be just the right amount of fun for me. 

Have a great weekend!


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