Cannon along the Hagerstown Pike on Antietam Battlefield
Courtesy of Don Pierce, Civil War Traveler

National Park Events

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam 2009 Event Calendar

The 2009 Battle Anniversary Full Schedule will be published in August

In addition to the major events hosted at the park, there is an introductory program shown each half hour in the Visitor Center and a one hour documentary shown daily at noon. (If you miss the documentary at the Visitors Center we have a copies for viewing in your room.) Daily Park Ranger led activities are posted each day at the Visitor's Center. Tours given on a specific day depend on staff scheduling and availability. Major exhibits are at the Visitor Center and at the Pry House Field Hospital Museum. For the latest Visitor Information call 301-432-5124

Harper's Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry Event Calendar

There are introductory programs shown each half hour. Daily Park Ranger led activities are posted each day at the Visitor's Center. Tours given on a specific day depend on staff scheduling and availability. For the latest Visitor Information call the Park at 304-535-6298.

C&O Canal National Historical Park

C&O Canal Event Calendar

The Ferry Hill, Williamsport and Brunswick park visitor centers are convenient to Sharpsburg. Ferry Hill Plantation (1810) is the closest (2 miles), high above the C&O canal, overlooking the Potomac River and Shepherdstown, WV, it is the former home of Col. Henry Kyd Douglas, CSA, Stonewall Jackson's staff officer and author of  "I Rode With Stonewall". For the latest Visitor Information call the Park at 301-739-4200

South Mountain Battlefield State Park

South Mountain State Battlefield is offering a service to tourists visiting Antietam National Battlefield. A free van shuttle service from Antietam to South Mountain operates on weekends, leaving the Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center at 10:30 a.m. and returning at 12:30 p.m. after touring South Mountain. Park rangers are also offering guided tours at Washington Monument State Park as well as Signal Corps and Civil War Soldier demonstrations. The Battle of South Mountain on September 14th, 1862 set the stage for the devastating Battle of Antietam on September 17th.

Other Events

Shepherdstown Easter Parade
April 11th, 2009


Antietam Battlefield Star Party
April 17th and 18th, 2009
Sponsored by The TriState Astronomers


18th Century Market Faire Weekend
April 23 thru 26th, 2009

At Fort Frederick traders, street vendors, entertainers, colonists, American Indians and military units portray the time period 1730 through 1790 and the customs and dress of a typical Market Faire gathering of this time and geographic area.


Sharpsburg's Old Fashioned Decoration Day Parade
May 23rd, 2009


Shepherdstown Garden Tour
May 23 and 24th, 2009


Western Maryland Blues Fest
May 28th thru 31st, 2009

In nearby Hagerstown, the Western Maryland Blues Fest serves up an annual community celebration centered around one of America's most enduring musical forms-the blues.


Spring Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festivals
June 12 - 14, 2009

Nearly 200 of our nation's most outstanding crafters. One of the largest festivals of this kind on the East Coast, offering something for everyone's taste - and pocketbook. To ensure excellence, all crafters have been prejudged for excellence thus assuring that only first quality items will be displayed and sold.


Contemporary American Theater Festival
July 8 - August 2, 2009

Since its founding in 1990 the acclaimed Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, 3 miles from the Jacob Rohrbach Inn, has produced more than 60 new American plays. Ticket sales begin March 1, 2008 for this increasingly popular festival.


Augustoberfest - German Festival
August 22rd and 23th, 2009

Enjoy Bavarian food, entertainment and fun in nearby Hagerstown. Celebrate German culture and folklore through food and beer, music, songs, dance and beer.


C&O Canal Days in Williamsport
August 29-30, 2009


Fall Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festivals
September 25 - 27, 2009

Nearly 200 of our nation's most outstanding crafters. One of the largest festivals of this kind on the East Coast, offering something for everyone's taste - and pocketbook. To ensure excellence, all crafters have been prejudged for excellence thus assuring that only first quality items will be displayed and sold.


11th Annual Roundhouse Rail Days in nearby Martinsburg, WV
October 3rd and 4th, 2009


2009 JFK 50 Ultramarathon
November 21, 2009

We are 6 miles from the start in Boonsboro and close to the midpoint of the race. Maps

20th Annual Memorial Illumination
December 5, 2009

Volunteers place over 23,000 candles on the battlefield; each representing a casualty from the bloodiest single day battle in American History. Driving tour begins at 6:00 p.m. on Route 34 east of Sharpsburg.

Buffalo on South Mountain