Activities

Heritage Parade – Time: Begins at 10:00 AM – Location: Main Street

The Middletown Heritage Festival Parade kicks off the Festival with the Frederick County Honor Guard leading the parade down Main Street to Elm Street. With its dance groups, floats, marching bands and a variety of community organizations, the parade is always a highlight of the day.

Living History

Location: Main Street at the Christ Reformed Church Green Space.   Step back through 250 years of Middletown's history! From the Natives who first settled in the Valley, through German settlers farming the lands, soldiers fighting for our freedom, and more, interact with living history interpreters and learn all about it! Try your hand at sewing, or quilting, see armies in formations, and dance with Native dancers! There's something for everyone in the Historical area.

The Quilt that Middletown Made - Thanks to participants of the Living History area, and the children and adults of Middletown trying their hand at Hand Crank sewing, a quilt has been assembled with signatures of the children who made the squares, and quilted by the Zion Lutheran Church Quilting ladies. This quilt, lovingly called the Quilt that Middletown Made, will be Raffled off with the proceeds going to Middletown Valley People Helping People. You can see the quilt and buy raffle tickets during this year's festival.

Extra events in camp:

  • Gown in a Day! - Come see Jillian Henning make an 18th century gown, all in one day in the historical area! 
  • Quilting bee- Rebecca Thompson and Mea Clift will have a quilt frame setup for hand quilting! Whether you're an old hand or a new hand, come try your hand on the frame!
  • Hand Crank sewing Machines! - Come learn the basics of sewing with a sewing machine!
  • Play with toys from a by-gone era, try writing with a quill pen, and other hands-on activities!
  • Don't miss thePotowmack Dancers at 12 and 2.

Heritage Children’s Crafts
Time: Begins at Noon
Location: State Farm Parking Lot behind 17 W. Main Street.
FREE of charge! Sit and relax and let your child create their own artistic masterpieces. This year’s crafts include Tulle Butterflies, Fall pumpkin craft, Flower Pinwheels, Tissue Kites, Paper Plate Dreamcatchers, Middletown Pony Bracelets, and STEM catapults.

Historical Society House Tour & Booth
Location: 305 West Main Street
Hearth cooking demonstration by local period cooking expert, Sally Waltz in the old summer kitchen. 10 am – 3 pm. Museum house open for tours throughout the day. Allnatural crafts and historical items for sale. Visit the Historical Society’s booth in the Festival area.

Lamar Center Tours
Location: 200 West Main Street
Tour the surgical center and sanitarium of Dr. Austin Lamar. Restored and maintained by the Central Maryland Heritage League, Dr. Lamar’s surgical suite, recovery room and equipment are on display.

Heritage Festival Booth
Location: Main Street in Front of Town Hall
Be sure to check out the Middletown Heritage Festival booth located on Main Street in front of Town Hall. We have loads of merchandise for sale to remember your day at the festival! Mugs, t-shirts and other great keepsakes await you at the Heritage Booth.

Christmas in the Valley Ornament – Town of Middletown Booth

In celebration of Middletown's 250th Anniversary, the 11th ornament in our collectors series depicts a view of our lovely, historic downtown from the vantage point of the Zion Lutheran church steeple during the late 1800’s. It harkens back to a simpler time; looking east over the town with a view of Christ Reformed Church and Braddock Mountain rising in the background.  The photo that is the inspiration for this ornament was taken in the late 1800's and is on display at the Town Hall.   All proceeds fund Middletown’s Christmas in the Valley.  You can purchase the ornament at the Middletown Municipal Center $30 cash or check.

Zion Lutheran Church
Location: Main Street in Front of Town Hall
Rich in history dating back to 1740, Zion’s current structure was designated as a general hospital during by the U.S. Army during the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. Step back in time to a civil war hospital and learn about the medical practices and challenges during this time period. A demonstration of a Civil War field hospital presented by Zion Lutheran Church and the Civil War Medicine Museum. Antique quilt show downstairs in the church social room.

Visit the Middletown Fire Department Auxiliary Breakfast on Heritage Morning for their Annual All You Can Eat Breakfast. From 7 am to 11 am.

Middletown Library Book Sale
Location: Old Memorial Hall Building on East Main Street which was built in dedication to Middletown’s veterans from World War I.
Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Christ Reformed Church
Location: Christ Reformed Front Lawn
They will also have a Basket and Craft sale and a Moon Bounce.  A bake sale, apple dumplings and delicious lunch available in the downstairs social room.