It seems that each area hosts their own version of Winterfest, all celebrating the very cold, very beautiful season. Our area’s Winterfest is celebrated in downtown Oakland, just a short drive from the lake and overflowing with small town charm and things to do. Due to predicted warm weather, Oakland's Winterfest was moved to February 24-26.
Starting Friday, the brick sidewalks of downtown Oakland are adorned with custom ice sculptures. Other than admiring the sheer skill of carving these intricate statues from ice, it’s always neat to see the different creations and find your favorite. There are also live demonstrations throughout the weekend! You can watch the master at work as he turns a block of ice into a wonderful creation!
Another splendid addition to our Winterfest is the horse-drawn sleigh rides. Probably something on everyone’s bucket list, it’s a really great experience that you may not have the chance to do often.
While being outside is great, and celebrating Winter is fun, you’ll probably welcome the chance to duck inside a warm building. The beauty of our small town is that there’s so much to do and explore within just one block. Oakland houses several museums, like the Transportation Museum, which features history on our area and Deep Creek Lake! There’s also the Oakland B&O Museum, housed in the iconic old train station, and the Oakland Historical Museum.
Oakland is also lined with various shops, from local made wood products and furniture to antiques to clothing, it’s a wholly unique shopping experience you’ll only find here. There are also great options for dining right in the heart of Oakland in easy walking distance to all Winterfest activities. The Cornish Cafe is a cute breakfast and lunch place, making every kind of coffee, fresh desserts, and delicious food. Englanders is a local staple, serving up delicious breakfast and lunch with a hometown atmosphere.
Stop by for an hour or a day, trust us, you won’t regret it!
PS – Railey Realty and Deep Creek Lodging Company sponsored a special project this year, you’ll have to stop by to see it! We’ll meet you there!
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