Planning continues for Garrett County’s sesquicentennial celebrations.
Led by Garrett County Government, this sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, will commemorate the formation of Garrett County from Allegany County on December 4, 1872.
The sesquicentennial planning committee is organizing programming and souvenirs based around the theme of the event: Humble Beginnings, Connected Communities: Celebrating 150 Years of Garrett County.
The year-long celebration will kick-off at the Commissioners’ Public Meeting in December 2021 and continue at festivals and events in each of the eight county municipalities – Accident, Deer Park, Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, Loch Lynn Heights, Mountain Lake Park, and Oakland – throughout 2022.
A public celebration event (TBD) will be held and there will be numerous features and invitations for public participation throughout the year. Activities will include a public invitation for essay, logo, photo, and art submissions on the theme “what Garrett County means to me,” walking history tours, “then and now” comparisons, trivia, and more.
Souvenir collectors’ coins and printed booklets are planned, and participants will be encouraged to collect each coin by visiting each town at the events mentioned above. The commemorative coins will be free and include a keepsake book to hold the coins.
“We’re proud of our county and the bright future we have in front of us” said Paul Edwards, Chairman of the Board of Garrett County Commissioners. “This series of celebrations will be a county-wide event involving the Towns, communities, and citizen groups highlighting our rich local history.”
Note an informational website with additional details and a schedule will be launched soon.
If you are interested in contacting the planning committee, please reach out to Sarah Myers, County Communications Coordinator at 301-334-7242 or smyers@garrettcounty.org.
