NEED TO KNOW: Week of Oct. 5

Lauren LaRocca, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
Updated ·3 min read

Oct. 5—NO SHORTAGE OF FALL FESTIVALS

Take the kids to Rose Hill Manor Park on Oct. 7 for its annual Fall Fest, complete with hayrides, craft vendors, a tractor pull and a cake auction. Or head west to the Middletown Heritage Festival, originally slated for Sept. 23 but postponed until Oct. 7, where Green Street will come alive with live music, Civil War musket firing demos, a pie-eating contest and crafts for kids. The annual Brunswick Railroad Days will celebrate its 40th year with the festival running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 and 8 in downtown Brunswick. Food, drinks, music, games, crafts, vendors and lots of railroad heritage will be on full display to celebrate the town's history as one of the hubs of the B&O Railroad, as well as its connections to the C&O Canal. And if you want to get out of town, the Apple Butter Festival in Berkeley Springs has expanded to three days this year — a full weekend of activities ... and lots and lots of apple butter.

FREDERICK GETS A NEW HOLIDAY

Mayor Michael O'Connor and County Executive Jessica Fitzwater will proclaim Oct. 11 as Lester Bowie Day in Frederick County during a special tribute performance for the artist on Oct. 7. Jazz trumpeters will perform in concert to honor the late legendary Bowie, who was a Frederick native and whose birthday was Oct. 11. The designation comes after the perseverance of music writer and Frederick resident Bill Shoemaker, who created the Frederick Experimental Music Association and has brought experimental jazz concerts to town. The holiday was the brainchild of Shoemaker, who wanted to see the jazz great honored in his hometown.

GET TO KNOW THIS FREDERICK DJ

LaVon "Prince" Thomas II, a 17-year-old Frederick High School senior aka DJ Young Fresh Prince, has music — and his mother — to thank for getting him to where he is today. Listening to music — and later creating it — became his outlet as he navigated an extraordinary childhood of health issues stemming from Prune Belly Syndrome, a rare disease that affects the kidneys (he got a kidney transplant from his mother when he was just 11 months old). Now he DJs at gigs around the region and nationally and shares his message about his health journey along the way. An emerging artist in his own right, the young DJ has already collaborated with hip-hop legends KG and Vin Rock of Naughty By Nature, and his roster of performances is growing. He plans to study music technology and business after high school, and we can't wait to see how his career and passion continue to blossom.

REMEMBERING FRANK DUVAL

Those who knew the beloved Frederick artist Frank DuVal (1945-2021) likely got a surprise or two in the mail while he was still with us. He would often create ink sketches on large postcards and mail them to friends and acquaintances. Some of these collected works will be on view at the Delaplaine Arts Center this month in the exhibition "Frank DuVal: You've Got Mail!"

GET IN THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT

If Pumpkin Spice Latte and orange and black aisles of decorations in big-box stores aren't enough to get you in the Halloween spirit, how about a walk down a haunted trail? The Field of Screams Maryland, based in Olney, is a huge, immersive experience for anyone who wants to have the living daylights scared out of them. Wander through a maze of ghoulish characters ... and then treat yourself to some s'mores and craft beer that will be waiting for you once you make your way out.

Follow Lauren LaRocca on Instagram @karmarocca.