Activities

Following is information from our 2009 festival. Check back for 2010's line-up of activities.

18th Century Encampment - Located on Main Street at the Christ Reformed Church Green Space. Go back in time learn about life during the 1800's. Make candles, learn about flint and steel making, talk to Seneca Indians.

The Festival will feature a living history demonstration of an 18th Century Colonial Frontier Encampment. To emphasize the rich history of Middletown during this period a living history demonstration will feature:

• 18th Century candle dipping and pouring
• Flint & Steel fire making demonstrations
• Colonial woodworking
• Blacksmith demonstrations
• Spinning and weaving
• A Seneca Indian encampment and native American Interpretation

READ MORE about the history of Middletown.

Historical Stories on Stage:

The Nancy Crouse Story
Come hear about the real Barbara Fritchie..Middletown's own Nancy Crouse. Nancy or Nannie as she was known throughout town, was not only beautiful but brave and bold as she stood up to Captain Motter of the Confederate army. The 1860's were a time of turmoil and unrest in our country and our own valley was no exception..but don't miss the tale of the brave union girl...Nancy Crouse! Stage 1 at 3:30pm.

Our German Heritage through the eyes of Zion Lutheran Church
Our valley was founded by hardy, honest and God-fearing German settlers. After the American Revolution, a log church structure was built in Middletown. Come hear the story of the evolution of this prominent landmark in Middletown through the eyes of the Remsburg's, one of the valley's founding family's. Stage 2 at 2:00pm.

Heritage Parade - The Middletown Heritage Parade kicks off the Festival at 10:00 am. The Frederick County Honor Guard will lead the parade down Main Street from School House Drive to willow Street. With great dance groups, floats, marching bands and local organizations and athletes, the parade is always a highlight of the day. Ending the parade this year will be the Golden Gears Car Club that will celebrate the 4th Annual Middletown Valley Car Show throughout the remainder of the day. The club will feature many of its vehicles in the parade and then park in the Elm Street parking lot for all to view. The Grand Marshal for the 25th Annual Heritage Parade is Mr. Larry Bussard. Mr. Bussard is a life-long resident of Middletown and owns Bussard's Barber Shop. Here he has been cutting hair for the past 40 years. A true historian, Mr. Bussard has more Middletown memorabilia than anyone else we have encountered. His knowledge and love of his commmunity has brought Mr. Bussard to serve as Commissioner in town for two terms. He also was on the very first organizing committee for the Heritage festival.

Heritage Booth - Located in the center of Main Street, the Heritage Booth has information about charming Middletown. We can answer questions you may have about the Heritage Festival, as well as our upcoming town events. Come by the Heritage Booth to pick up an entry form for the Heritage Hunt, a Festival tradition enjoyed by young and old alike. Completed entries returned to the booth will be eligible for great prizes! This year we will be featuring raffle tickets for a set of "Your Life. Your Community”, photo history books, courtesy of The Frederick News-Post. These books are filled with photos collected around Frederick County and there will be one lucky winner. Stop by the booth to enter this and our other merchandise raffles.

Great merchandise will also be available for sale -- mugs, shirts and other Middletown keepsakes to remember the day! Don't forget to order your Middletown  Christmas in the Valley Ornament while you're at the booth.

Heritage Children's Crafts - A wonderful opportunity to create a craft based on different highlights of the Festival. Beginning at noon and free of charge! Located at the State Farm parking lot behind 17 W. Main Street, this year’s crafts include:
· Decorating German hats, sponsored by General Maintenance II
· Decorating miniature pickets fences, sponsored by the Middletown Valley Garden Association
· Decorating Snallygaster signs
· Making sports bracelets
· Creating chenille skateboarders and parasoled chenille ladies
· Making Colonial clothespin figures.

Middletown Heritage Hunt - While enjoying your day visiting the Middletown Valley, join the Middletown Heritage Hunt! - Pick up an entry form at the Heritage Festival Booth located around Town Hall. As you travel throughout the festival site, learn a little about Middletown's history and check out our local shops to get your festival stickers. Entries must be returned to the Heritage Festival Booth by 4:00pm to be eligible for prizes.

Prizes are:
1st Prize: Recliner, courtesy of Gladhill Furniture, Middletown
2nd Prize: $75 Visa Gift Card
3rd Prize: $50 Visa Gift Card
4th Prize: $25 Visa Gift Card

Zion Lutheran Church - Civil War Medical Hospital - Founded by German immigrants, Zion is rich in history dating back to 1740. Used as a medical hospital during the Battle of Antietam, step back in time to a civil war hospital and learn about some of the medical practices during this time period. A demonstration of a Civil War field hospital ill be presented by Zion Lutheran Church and the Civil War Medical Museum.

Jumbo's at the Festival - Jumbos Pumpkin Patch will give attendees a small taste of fall at the festival. Information on the farm, parties, and corn maze will be given out, along with coupons for the farm. Located at the Elm Street parking lot.

• Face Painting
• Pumpkin Panting
• Sandy Candy (sand art you can eat!)
• Small selection produce
• Small selection of crafts

Signal Corps - Christ Reformed Green Space and Zion Lutheran Church 2:00 and 3:45
During the Civil War, Middletown became a strategic location for some of the first organized military signaling in history. In the days before and after the Battle of South Mountain, Major Albert J. Myers, later known as the father of modern military communications, has his headquarters in Middletown where he coordinated the signaling and communications from atop South Mountain using the Church Steeples of Middletown. Members from the Headquarters Signal Detachment and from the Department of WVA will be recreating these communications and demonstrating signaling techniques throughout the day. PArticipate by having your message sent or join in and learn to use the flags to send your own message.

South Mountain Sutlers- Visit with the South Mountain Sulters who will be demonstrating soap making, wool dying and discussing a variety of topics relivant to 18th century living. The South Mountain Sutlers will be located in front of 308 West Main St. See soap and candle making, learn about fur trading and trapping, see wool dying and spinning, see apple butter and apple sauce making and herb drying.

Historial Society House Tour-Visit the Middletown Historical Society and tour their 18th century home and garden. Hearth cooking will be demonstrated by local period cooking expert Sally Waltz, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. The Historical Society is located at 305 West Main Street. Also, look for the Historical Society's booth within the festival area.

Napolean Cannon-Christ Reformed Church Green Space. Interpretations and demonstrations by the South Mountain Battlefield Staff of this 12lb cannon used during the Civil War. Demonstrations at 1:30 and 4:00

South Mountain Alpacas and Yarn Spinners. Learn about alpacas and how their wool is sheared and spun. A fun learning experience for all ages! Located next to the Lamar Center

Bladesmith and Knife Making - 13 West Main Street. The Moran Foundation demonstrates the art of knife making.

Visit the Middletown Fire Department Auxiliary Breakfast on Heritage Morning for their Annual All You Can Eat Breakfast. From 7 am to 10 am.

Heritage Car Show -4th Annual Middletown Valley Car Show sponsored by the Golden Gears Car Club Elm Street Parking Lot
Cars will be positioned after the parade. The Golden Gears Car Club of Maryland began in 1974. The club is dedicated to the preservation, use and enjoyment of historic, classic, muscle and special interest vehicles.

Christ Reformed Church Quilt Raffle and Booth - Located in the Christ Reformed Green Space. While looking at their
beautiful handmade baskets don't forget to get your raffle ticket for a chance to win a handmade quilt that is a heirloom keepsake.

Entertainment

Exhibitors and Artists

Food Vendors

Festival Maps