Welcome to our town, nestled in the mountains
of Western Maryland, in the Eastern United States

Welcome to Oakland, Maryland .......... Its Winter Fest 2010....February 19, 20, & 21st .... Games, Ice Sculptures, Food, Entertainment, Shopping, and Fun WINTER FEST 2010 Garrett County will be treated to an encore performance by Expert Ice Sculptor Bill Sandusky at the 2010 Winter Fest.  Bill’s ice carving company, Frozen  Assets, has been a member of the National Ice Carver’s Association since 1999.   Bill, an award winning ice carver who served Western Pennsylvania for 15 years, is now located in Colorado. This will be his third Oakland Winter Fest. The Winter Fest Committee is thrilled to have Bill return and plans to make this year’s Winter Festival even better than the last.     Friday, Feb. 18     Progressive Dinner via horse-drawn sleigh  (8 Seats Still Available), and Lighted Ice Sculpture Viewing  After Dark Saturday, Feb. 19  Snow Mobile Drag Races, On-site  ice sculpting  demonstrations, Name Carvings in Ice, Sleigh Rides, 33 Works of Art In Ice  Sponsored by local, Businesses featuring: Ice Throne,   Dragon and Slide, Frozen Bowling Alley, Wine Tasting, Snow Toddler Announcement, Music by the Preston Madrigals, Campfire with S’mores, Scavenger Hunt, Craft Vendors at the, Oakland Train Station, Food Vendors, and Sculpture Lighting Sunday, Feb. 20   Winter Fest Breakfast, 33 Works of Art In Ice  Sponsored by local Businesses featuring: Ice Throne,         Dragon and Slide, Frozen Bowling Alley, Campfire with S’mores, Music at the Gazebo With Maria Rose & Danny Elswick, Craft Vendors at the Oakland Train Station, Food Vendors FOR MORE INFORMATION or to SPONSOR A SCULPTURE     Call :Jim Johnson 301-616-4008 or Arlene Murray  301-616-2411      FOR A DETAILED BROCHURE EMAIL YOUR REQUEST TO: gobamainstreet@hotmail.com Oakland, Maryland – A GREAT Small Town. Welcome to Oakland, the County seat for Garrett County, Maryland. With a population of nearly 2000 persons, here you will find local and state government offices, major banking institutions and health care facilities, including Garrett County Memorial Hospital. There is a nice blend of retail businesses and services including antiques, high quality men and women’s clothing, locally owned full service pharmacies and even an old-fashioned soda fountain where you can order a milk shake made the old fashioned way Oakland, Maryland is also the home to a restored 1884 train station and the County’s Historical Society Museum. The Museum, which is open to limited hours, also offers many genealogical services.  The Oakland Train Station is temporarily closed for the winter season.   There is no charge for group tours of the station (by special request only - in advance), however, donations are graciously accepted. When the weather cooperates you can  take a nice relaxing stroll or bike ride along four miles of beautiful scenic trails, that will take you by Washington Spring where it is said George Washington once drank the spring's water. If you enjoy looking for that valuable antique  you should browse our four Antique stores all located within one block of each other.  And the food is great.  Each of our little restaurants have a reputation of keeping the customers happy, and coming back for more. Oakland is a state and nationally recognized Main Street Community.  There are active committees who are working very diligently to make Oakland an even "GREATER" small town. Need more information? Please drop us a line at :  Oakland, Maryland Information Town Hall 15 S. 3rd Street Oakland, MD  21550 Or just call :  301-334-2691, fax at 301-334-4401, or e-mail us at townofoak@cebridge.net See below for more information about Oakland, Maryland . . . . .

We take pride in our Town, and invite you to visit us, and our 1884 Train Station.   Below is some important information for your review. The December GOBA meeting is cancelled.  The next GOBA meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 5:30 PM, at Oakland Town Hall. Looking for the Town of Oakland's Code? Council Agenda ? or  recently approved minutes ? "Click here". Interested in renting the Armory, the Glades Pavilion, or the Mt. Fresh Pavilion?  Call City Hall for prices and availability at 301-334-2691.  Broadford Park Pavilion rentals for the calendar year 2010 began on January 4, 2010.  Call City Hall for rental info @ 301-334-2691.  Our Picture Galleries JAVA picture gallery Thumbnail picture gallery Please recycle newspaper, cans, and cardboard.  Bags can be purchased at City Hall. Please check the links for more info.

Oakland .........A Great Small Town -- G.O.B.A. and Main Street

Working together for a thriving downtown ---- February 2010 

Exciting things are happening in our great small town. Imagine strolling musicians, out door umbrella sheltered tables, tourists sampling regional specialties, charming restaurants, demonstrations by local artists and craftsmen, and finally an ice skating rink in winter? The possibilities are enormous and we look forward with great enthusiasm to the fulfillment of these plans. More information on upcoming events and plans will be included in future newsletters.  In addition, here are just some of the things a few of Oakland’s organizations have been doing to truly make Oakland a better small town.

 G.O.B.A. meets the third Tuesday of every month at Oakland’s town hall (unless otherwise noted) beginning at 5:30 PM. At the past several meetings new and exciting things have been discussed, such as: the Implementation of the Strategic Plan, the Yough Summer Music Festival (www.littleyough.com); the maintaining of the Oakland website; the improvement of Oakland billboards (Rt. 219 & 42); The Shoppe (featuring locally made items for sale) at Heritage Square and a satellite office for a Visitors information center at the Oakland Train Station, our latest event of Winterfest, and finally, Christmas on Main Street.

 The Economic Restructuring Committee (Main street) is one of three main street committees in Oakland whose main tasks have included: Finalizing active recruitment and retention plan, with the possibilities of training/workshops; Putting together a team of business professionals (real estate, insurance, banking, business owners, experts in loan and tax credit programs) to assist existing and new businesses; Improving the Shoppe at the Train Station complex; Looking into doing new sidewalks or sidewalk repair; and working to Foster a partnership with Garrett College to bring extension services to downtown.

 The Oakland Design Committee has come up some with some great ideas to better Oakland, of them include: Historical markers recently put into place; Evaluation of signage and outdoor advertising with guidelines being developed for signs and murals; Long range decorating plan (new Christmas decorations were purchased); and during the summer, Wonderful Wednesday promotion “Go the Extra Mile” (from Wal-Mart to Historic Oakland)-flyers to be distributed and merchants participation enthusiastic.    With the end of the summer season, this venture proved to be a huge success, with plans for next year already in the works. They purchased some new Christmas Decorations which were displayed during the Christmas Season and are looking for more exciting changes.  They are interested in assisting with community centered projects, and are interested in working on parks/playground and recreational areas.

 The Promotion Committee has been working on some special promotions to bring tourists and Garrett county residents to Oakland some these promotions include: the re-printing of a beautiful walking tour brochure of Historic Oakland; Christmas on Main Street; Promoting the Little Yough Summer Concert Series as well as expanding on the Wonderful Wednesdays promotion, working up an Easter event, improving the sidewalk sale, doing a window decorating contest for holidays, setting up "May Baskets", establishing a Town-wide yard sale and numerous other exciting ideas.  The Promotion Committee is interested in developing a train station brochure and invites you to come see what makes Oakland such a great small town.

 As you can see the Oakland committees are hard at work trying to make Oakland a “Great Small Town.” Feel free to contact Oakland Town Hall, 301-334-2691 if you have any questions or need information.  Come to Oakland, Maryland and see for yourself our wonderful Town!!