Hagerstown Hosts City Park Fall Fest with New German-Themed Herbstfest and Fireworks

The City of Hagerstown is set to host its annual City Park Fall Fest this Saturday, September 19, offering a full day of free, family-friendly activities. This year’s event introduces a new German harvest festival, Herbstfest, and will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over the lake. The day promises a blend of arts, entertainment, historical exploration, and musical performances, culminating in an evening of celebration.

Starting at 11 a.m., the City Park Fall Fest will feature a variety of attractions designed to entertain all ages. Children can look forward to pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, and balloon artists, while adults can enjoy live entertainment, historical reenactments, and opportunities to engage in arts and crafts. A wide array of food vendors will be on site offering diverse culinary options, alongside craft vendors showcasing unique handmade items for purchase. The event is presented by Maryland Physicians Care.

In addition to the main festival activities, the four museums located within City Park—the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the Mansion House Art Center & Gallery, the City Park Train Hub, and the Jonathan Hager House and Museum—will be offering free tours and hosting special programming until 4 p.m. To facilitate access to these historical sites, a double-decker bus, sponsored by Flight Fiber by Antietam Broadband, will operate from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with stops at the Museum of Fine Arts, Mansion House, and Hager House.

Furthermore, Bester Community of Hope will host its 11th annual South End Community Block Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located between the band shell and concession stand, this section of the park will feature community resource vendors, attractions for children and adults, and live musical performances at the Peter Buys Band Shell. As the afternoon progresses, attendees are encouraged to gather near the Museum Drive lake area from 4 p.m. onwards. This area will be populated with craft vendors and entertainment, building anticipation for the fireworks display scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m.

A significant new addition to this year’s festival is Herbstfest, a traditional German harvest festival taking place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the lawn of the Hager House. This German-themed celebration will include authentic music from the Sepp Walzer Fest Band, performing a mix of polkas, swing, and pop. Attendees can also enjoy a non-alcoholic beer garden, in partnership with the Hagerstown Field House, and sample traditional German fare such as bratwurst and sauerkraut, provided by Zion Reformed Church.

For attendees driving to the event, parking will be available at the softball fields and in the two large lots situated at the rear of the park. To manage traffic flow, a one-way system will be in effect within the park, with entry at City Park Drive and exit at Key Street. Entry will not be permitted from Key Street. City Park is located at 501 Virginia Avenue. For a comprehensive schedule of activities and a list of participating vendors and non-profit organizations, residents can visit http://www.hagerstownmd.org/fallfest or the dedicated Facebook event page. The Hagerstown Parks and Recreation Facebook page will also provide ongoing updates and information about future events.

The City Park Fall Fest is made possible through the support of its presenting sponsor, Maryland Physicians Care, and several other event sponsors, including Bester Community of Hope, BTST, ExpressCare Urgent Care, FedEx, Flight Fiber by Antietam Broadband, the Hagerstown Field House, Renewal by Andersen, ServPro, Wellpoint, and Xfinity.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown.

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