Summer is in full swing at Deep Creek Lake! July is packed full of events, parades, and one of the biggest holidays all year. We’ve had typical late spring weather this past month, with a mix of sunshine and rain. We’ll start July with a heat wave – which is the perfect way to welcome our first full month of summer. July weather is typically drier than June with varying humidity. Remember – we’re usually 10-20 degrees cooler than Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.! The mountains are definitely the place to be during the summer. Check out some of our top things to do this month below!
Catch a Fireworks Show – Fireworks on the 4th of July is one of our favorite holiday traditions! The Fire on the Mountain fireworks display is launched from the top of Wisp Resort’s tubing park and burst over McHenry Cove. The fireworks can be seen from almost all over the McHenry area. Many spectators watch from the water, too!! You can also park at most businesses and along Rt. 219. The local robotics team is parking cars at Sunset Village, which will give you an awesome view and help them raise money for their competitions. Fireworks start at dark on July 4, weather dependent. There are also fireworks at Broadford Lake in Oakland on July 3! Tune in to WKHJ 104.5 for fireworks updates and possible weather delays.
Special America 250 Bash - Head over to the Garrett County Fairgrounds Saturday July 18 to celebrate America turning 250! The event is FREE to attend and will feature tons of displays, live music, events, and best of all, a night-time drone show!
Visit the Lavender Farm - The first week of July is peak season for the Deep Creek Lavender Farm!! Stop by the farm to cut your own sprigs of lavender, join in on a wreath-making class, or purchase some of their wonderful lavender goods! Everything from lavender tea to hand lotions to essential oils - they have it all. It's truly one of the most unique local places you have to see for yourself! Even if you miss peak season, you can still stop by and visit the farm to shop and explore. They also are at most local vendor shows throughout the year and will even ship products!
Art in the Park – If you haven’t made it down to the annual Art in the Park event at Deep Creek State Park, you have to go! This two-day event features local artists, various vendors, food vendors, and presentations (with critters!) by the Discovery Center and park staff. There are plenty of fun things for kids to do as well as beautiful artwork and handmade goods for the adults. Since it’s at the park, you can enjoy the sandy public beach and roped off swimming area while you’re there, too! Deep Creek Lake State Park also offers several miles of hiking and biking trails. It’s a fantastic event!!
Victorian Chautauqua - A fun new annual event! Head down to Mountain Lake Park and step back in time for this incredible weekend event that celebrates the rich history of this small town at the turn of the century and beyond. Enjoy live music, trolley bus tours, food, artisans, activities, historical performances and lectures, and tons of kids activities. There's also a Model T showcase, Wheelman demonstrations, and tintype photographs! This is the second year for this new annual event - you don't want to miss it! 
Garrett County Agricultural Fair – The Garrett County Fair is probably one of the most popular events for both locals and visitors. Spanning seven days, the fair combines your favorite foods, live music, fun spectator events, animals, art displays, and carnival rides! The fair was moved in the last few years to the end of July to better accommodate back to school schedules – so now, the fair generally spans the end of July into August. One of the things we love most about the fair is the food – partly because all of the stationary booths are manned by local clubs and organizations, and partly because it’s absolutely delicious. Fun events usually include a truck pull, tractor pull, demolition derby, mud bog, and live performers almost every night!
We just scratched the surface of all the fun things to do this month! There is always plenty of live music to enjoy and fun things to do on the water, too. July and August are the hottest months of the year for us and are when the lake is at its warmest; so don’t forget to jump in the water every chance you get!
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