OAKLAND - Gov. Larry Hogan will be the grand marshal of Garrett County's 49th annual Autumn Glory Festival Grand Feature Parade on Oct. 15.
"We are elated to have Governor Hogan serve as the grand marshal ...," said Nicole Christian, president and CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. "Governor Hogan has done a lot for Marylanders in the short time that he has been in office, as evidenced by his high approval rating. Selecting him as the grand marshal is an opportunity for the chamber to recognize his achievements and to thank him for his efforts."
The chamber's Board of Directors and Autumn Glory Committee choose the parade marshal based on achievements, name recognition and ties to Maryland, Christian said.
"I think Governor Hogan is an excellent choice to be the grand marshal, as he has shown repeatedly that he knows where we are and is concerned about our issues," said Paul Edwards, chairman of the Garrett County Commission. "That is refreshing, as we are often forgotten about in Annapolis. He has been here numerous times for a variety of reasons and I think he is an excellent choice by the chamber."
Hogan was inaugurated as the 62nd governor of Maryland on Jan. 21, 2015. He is just the second Republican governor in Maryland in nearly 50 years and the first from Anne Arundel County to be elected in more than 100 years.
The parade, which is sponsored by First United Bank & Trust, begins at 1 p.m. in downtown Oakland. Garrett Regional Medical Center is the festival sponsor.
The festival, which runs from Oct. 12-16, includes a kickoff reception at Wisp Resort; two large parades; concerts; Oktoberfest celebration; the Maryland State Banjo, Fiddle & Mandolin Championships; Fall Foliage Driving Tours; art exhibits; the Western Maryland Tournament of Bands; and antique and craft shows.
