With the coming of the first day of fall signs of autumn are already visible. Traditionally, the earliest leaf color changes are seen in Western Maryland, with Garrett County's foliage starting to turn by the first week in October, and peaking around the middle of the month. In Garrett County, the first vivid reds, yellows, and oranges are beginning to appear. Cooler temperatures are prevailing which, along with the noticeably shorter days and longer nights, will speed the process. After a hard frost Tuesday night, Herrington Manor State Park near Oakland reported approximately 5-10% of their foliage has changed, most visibly among the black gums and maples. Other spots around the county to see these early changes are the Cove Overlook off of Route 219, the viewshed of Marsh Mountain from the Deep Creek Overlook, and along Route 135 in the vicinity of Backbone Mountain. The foliage changes are more visible in the shadier, cooler bottomland areas, and a leisurely drive west out of Frostburg through the Savage River State Forest should also surprise with delightful splashes of color. Expectations are high that the leaves will be at their peak just in time for the 32nd Annual Autumn Glory Festival in Oakland, going on October 14th through 17th. Make plans to attend now.

Why does the foliage change color this time of year? Leaves both require more water and lose more than any other part of the tree, and leaf loss is a survival technique to cope with winter's frozen ground, when trees are unable to draw water. Autumn's shorter days and longer, cooler nights serve to warn trees that winter is approaching, causing them to release a hormone that restricts the flow of sap to their leaves. As the sap flow slows, chlorophyll -- the chemical that gives the leaves their green color -- disappears. Chlorophyll converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into the sugars that feed the tree, masking other pigments that produce the orange and yellow hues. As the tree begins to shut down its food-making processes, the chlorophyll is drawn back into the twigs and trunk revealing brilliant red, bronze, purple, orange and crimson shades.

The clear, crisp days that accompany these spectacular changes provide the perfect opportunity to get out and experience some of our state's exciting festivals, and the first of the many scheduled for the season get underway this weekend.

Turning first to activities going on in State Forests and Parks around Maryland, Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County will host the Governor's Invitational Firelock Match on Saturday and Sunday. One of the longest running firing competitions in the United States, this event is based on 18th century military review. Reactivated units will participate in both individual and team competitions in musket, pistol, drilling, artillery and tomahawk, as well as offer cooking and camping demonstrations, and 18th century-style wares will be on sale. Ceremonies begin Saturday at 10 a.m. Fort Frederick State Park is located one mile east of I-70 off of Exit 12, Big Pool. For more information, contact the park office at (301) 842-2155.

At the other end of the state, Janes Island State Park in Somerset County invites you to a Full Moon Kayak Adventure along the park's new water trail, going on Friday and Saturday evenings. While the foliage on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore hasn't started to turn yet, you can still come out and enjoy the unique beauty of the Janes Island marshlands under the light of the full moon while paddling along Ward Creek. Kayaks and guide service will be provided for novice and experienced paddlers alike, and trips also include a guided beach walk along the shores of Tangier Sound. Paddlers will leave the state park marina at 6 p.m. each night and the entire trip will last approximately three hours. Registration is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Call (410) 968-1803 for reservations.

Looking for something to do in the Blue Ridge foothills this weekend? Check out the Westminster Fall Fest taking place through Sunday in the city park and downtown area of this picturesque Carroll County town. Over 200 vendors will be represented, and there will be live entertainment for the whole family, carnival rides and plenty of food.

Up at the top of the Bay, the Fall Harvest Festival and Craft Show will be going on Saturday and Sunday at the Steppingstone Museum in Susquehanna State Park near Havre de Grace. Stop by and learn how to create your own scarecrow, design a jack-o'-lantern, or make a jar of homemade apple butter. Listen to local storytellers as they spin a yarn or two, or enjoy a relaxing hayride or pony ride through the park.

Down in Prince George's County at the Planter's Warehouse in Upper Marlboro, the St. Thomas Parish Tobacco Barn Antiques Show and Sale gets underway on Friday and runs through Sunday. Over 90 dealers from more than 20 states will be on hand marketing fine antiques of all kinds.

For a "shore good" time, head over to the Equestrian Center at Tuckahoe State Park in Caroline County, where the Eastern Shore Fall Festival Championship Jousting Tournament will take place Saturday. This event pays homage to our official state sport, and also includes arts and crafts, a flea market, hay and pony rides, a horse show, and live entertainment.

And for those of you looking to bask in the last glow of the September sun, pack your bags and head down to Ocean City for Sunfest '99, going on Thursday through Sunday. This four-day event takes place at the Inlet Parking Lot, and features nationally-recognized entertainment under four big-top tents set up right on the beach!

And while you're out and about, be sure to take full advantage of Maryland's state parks and forests, offering first rate hiking and biking trails as well as picnic facilities for day use on these splendid fall weekends!

For more information on these or other events in Maryland this fall, contact the Maryland Office of Tourism Development at (410) 767-3400 or visit their website at www.mdisfun.org. If you would like a copy of the new Maryland Fall Travel Guide, leave your name and complete address after the tone, and they'll be happy to send one out to you.

Enjoy your Maryland weekend!

Photographs by Tom Darden from the MD DNR web site.

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