The Oakland Arts & Entertainment District, in partnership with the Town of Oakland, Greater Oakland Business Association, and Garrett County Arts Council, is ready to celebrate the start of summer with the annual Kick Off to Summer Festival on Saturday, June 20, 2026!
From 11 AM to 4 PM, downtown Oakland will transform into a lively celebration packed with art, music, food, shopping, and family fun. The streets will be closed to vehicle traffic, creating the perfect atmosphere to stroll, explore, and enjoy everything the festival has to offer.
Visitors can browse a wide variety of local artists, makers, craft vendors, retailers, and food vendors lining the streets. There will be something around every corner, including resin art, handmade fishing lures, clothing and accessories, baked goods, books, welded art, artisan cheeses, woodworking, jewelry, candles and wax melts, cards and journals, handcrafted lamps, pottery, decorative birds, handmade knives, and much more.
Downtown businesses, galleries, restaurants, and museums will join in the festivities with specials and activities throughout the day. Live music from local favorite Pickin’ Empty Pockets will keep the celebration going, while Cindy’s Fund and the GaCoS Robotics Team 1629 will be serving up fresh lemonade. Fresh off their recent trip to the Robotics World Championship in Houston, the robotics team will also be giving live demonstrations throughout the event. The Mountain Fresh Farmers Market will also be open during the festival, offering fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade products, and more from regional farmers and makers. Families can stop by the Kids’ Zone for face painting, photo opportunities, arts activities, and an obstacle course designed for younger festivalgoers.
At the End of the Line Stage, Sunrise Sanitation will once again host the always-popular “Sunpies” Pie-Eating Contest, a crowd favorite that brings plenty of laughs and friendly competition each year.
Beginning at 11 AM, guests can also participate in the Beer and Hard Seltzer Tasting Walk featuring regional breweries including Big Timber, Brewery and the Beast, High Ground, Screech Owl, Short Story, and Mountain State.
Advance tasting tickets are available for $25 online at oaklandaedistrict.com. Day-of tickets can be purchased at The Gallery Shop for $30.
Whether visiting for the shopping, the food, the music, or simply the chance to enjoy Oakland’s historic downtown with friends and family, Kick Off to Summer is the perfect way to celebrate the season and support the local arts and business community.
Don’t forget to bring your Garrett Arts Passport for several opportunities to collect artist-designed stamps throughout the event.
Contact info@oaklandaedistrict.com or 301-334-6580, or visit oaklandaedistrict.com for more information.
To learn more about the Garrett County Arts Council or become a member, please visit www.garrettarts.org today.
Written by Garrett County Arts Council.
From the June issue of the Lakefront Magazine.
