WOW!! This event has changed since the last time we were there. It's much larger now and not family friendly like it used to be. First thing I noticed was they "ran out " of handicap parking spots!! Not off to a good start?! They then send you to the next row which is a good large field away & find a spot. I'm sorry but I can't walk that far and I need to be dropped off. That's fine, and as we pass the designated handicap parking lot I notice that it's not full and there's plenty of parking available for the handicap. My placard displayed in window. They aren't using them now because they are waiting for a group!!?? Ok. 1/5 for NOT being handicap accessible. Train the people to address the situation and offer to let them be dropped off..they didn't. They only said go to the end of the row and park. My husband said my wife is handicapped and she can't walk that far and the guy replied something like well it's full and you have to go, keep traffic moving !?!? Where are they going? Way down yonder in the far pasture and they might be here before dark. Very disappointing for a state run affair on a day dedicated to military and first responders would be so unorganized. From running out of handicap parking spots (lie-from volunteer) and run out of drinks before an hour had passed. Second, found one of my favorite foods! Açaí bowl. Can't drink on an empty stomach, no hangovers here ! Overall I think this event was oversold on tickets and the vendors were not prepared for for the increase in number of people. The lines were very long at lunch time which is when we were there and I noticed right after they were done everyone disappeared. I also noticed for such a large outdoor event they didn't have any water stations. If you were thirsty than you bought water or something else. I wanted water. I did find some cute gifts for my mom & some other ideas for my crafting. Despite the heat, crowds, long lines, miscommunication and everything else I had a decent time. But I can always make something boring into fun:-). Maybe next year will be better?! read more

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*Secret Garden Arts, Music and Wine Festival Review* I visited a few days ago for this festival! I only recently heard of this event but glad I attended. It was a decent size crowd (not like the Linganore Reggae Festival) but that was a good thing (for me at least). This was my first "big" event since pre-covid! There was a line to get into the festival so word of advice - go early. Even though it was starting at noon, I'd suggest going at least an hour before so you're not in the line for too long and you get to pick your spot to set up. There's folks directing you where to park! They will scan your tickets and check your bags, lawn chairs and other belongings for contraband (weapons, drugs, outside liquor)! You're allowed to bring non-alcoholic beverages and food but no liquor! Don't bother because they thoroughly check and I saw lots of liquor being confiscated!!! There were two wine vendors there - Dejeon and Basignani. Your ticket gives you tastings to both. I only got to try Basignani and I loved the sangria so I ended up buying two bottles of that to share with my group. The reisling wasn't bad either, but it wasn't enough for me to get an entire bottle. Most bottles are $17 and there were some $30 bottles. There were some food trucks but the lines were super long. My group and I brought our own food - saves time and money. Tents are allowed but again if you want to be closer to the stage, go early! There were some art, cigars, hookah vendors. There's some indoor restrooms near the gate but mostly porta-potties! While I saw some kids here, I personally don't think this is a kid friendly event (at least not younger kids - under 12). There's nothing really for kids to do here! Overall, it was a good time! I would attend again in the future. read more

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We went as a homeschool group and we were able to have Mr. Scott be our guide and he was so good at handling a diverse group of preschoolers, lower and upper school students, and grown-ups. He gave us so much insight and informational tidbits that even some lifelong Carroll Countians in the group didn't know about. I highly recommend having a guide to give you a history when you visit the farm museum. Did you know that it wasn't originally used as farmland despite it being a farm museum? We were also able to enter the main house and there was also a guide inside to answer questions and spread some wisdom (Did you know that "trundle" is a verb?) Loved the experience and worth getting a tour guide to make the visit way more meaningful. P.S. We were also there for the Steam Show and it runs till Sunday so you can still catch them there if you make it this weekend! read more

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Wow!!! Last year Maryland SummerFest was awesome! From the wide variety of food trucks, to the amazing music, this fest has it all. We have our tickets for this year and are looking forward to it being even bigger. I think this festival has the makings of becoming one of the best festivals in Maryland! We can't wait to go!!! read more

Recently went for the Secret Garden R&B/Soul Wine Festival and had a great time. The grounds were very clean for it to be so many there. It was workers constantly walking around cleaning. It's very big and spacious so wear comfortable shoes. Love this place read more

I can't rave enough about this place! My original birthday plans fell through for my 2 year old with the rainfall the past 2 days but I wanted to take my son out for a day of fun--covid safety style. This fits all the bill! We were the only ones there today!!! We threw on our rain boots and I'm glad I did, some parts of the grounds were muddy but overall not bad. The playground was cool but the biggest attraction for us was obviously the animals. Oh the fowls, chickens, goats, rabbits... he loved them all! There were several workers on site and the one on the tractor waved to my son every time he passed by. My son was in LOVE. Another worker approached us and told us to meet the oxen friends out back. He spent some time to go over some history of the farm and grabbed a lasso to get one of them to come closer to us. It was such a nice gesture of him and I enjoyed it just as much as my son did. Everyone wore their masks and I mean wore them... not falling off the face or nose poking out. Like I said we were the only ones there but it is so spacious there, I can see a good amount of people there and still be able to socially distance. There were also plenty of picnic tables on the grounds. Someone told me that they host wine festivals!! I hope to attend on in the future :) read more

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This was my first time attending the Summerfest at Carroll County Farm Museum it was wonderful. I will be back next year!!!

Came here for the Secret Garden R&B/ Neo Soul Music, Arts and Festival and it was a nice event at the venue. A complementary wine glass was included in the admission along with samples of wine provided by Basignani Winery, which was overpriced for the crowd (beginning at $17 a bottle), but had a decent taste. Free tours of the Farm Museum were included as well, but l did not go. The grounds of the museum included numerous benches to sit and listen to the wonderful music, picnic tables to enjoy your food and non-alcoholic beverages that you could bring in and plenty of trees to sit under and enjoy the breeze and hide from the blazing sun. There were food, cigar, jewelry and clothing vendors. The Panama Band played an awesome set as well as DJ Frank Ski, former Baltimore DJ, lighting up the ones and twos with an old school blend of R&B, hip hop and house music. All in all, a wonderful event that l will frequent in the future, especially if it is held at this venue. read more

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The Cons ...1. They gave out 2013 anniversary wine glasses for an event that took place 8/16/2015. 2. The wine sellers need to work out a system for wine sales that doesn't take 40 minutes long. The Pros....nice area, picnic tables and tented spaces for people to sit. Vendors and the music was great and people were very friendly. read more

Maryland SummerFest - 2013 anniversary glasses provided for a 2015 EVENT!! Shame... - Festivals Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

This is a very nice farm museum. They offer blacksmithing classes (which I took) on select weekends via the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland. Also, during the weekend they had a wine festival. Lots of historic views and buildings to check out on a slower weekend. read more

Doesn't matter what they are hosting, whether it's the 4H fair or the fireworks... you have a great time here. It's a must visit place in Carroll County. :) read more

Maryland SummerFest - Festivals Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

I was here for a Wine Festival this past weekend. Loved this location. Ample parking. The festival was well layed out. The grounds were flat and easy to manage. The country life museum was interesting. I would definitely go back to this location for other events. read more

My wedding ceremony and reception were held recently at CCFM and I think this is a great place to get married for the right bride. The reception barn is rustic and makes a great backdrop for the right style wedding. The rest of the campus is absolutely beautiful and there are several locations for scenic pictures. My wedding ceremony was at the grape arbor which was stunning. All our guests commented on how beautiful the location was. A few things to keep in mind: 1. The price for this venue is amazingly reasonable! But you get what you pay for. The venue is 100% self service. You must set up and take down your own chairs, tables, decorations, etc. (Venue provides chairs and tables plus chairs for the ceremony). They also moved picnic tables closer to the barn for our guests to sit outside... but basically we did all the setup ourselves. 2. I highly recommend paying the extra $100 for the "Bridal Suite." This is basically just a meeting room with a bathroom and small refrigerator, but it is air conditioned and was a nice place for myself and bridesmaids to store changes of clothes, etc. 3. The barn is absolutely not air conditioned. The museum staff will provide extra fans for hot days. Since I got married in August, there is always a chance of very warm weather, which we had. I was originally told that by turning on all the fans and keeping the barn doors and windows open we would get a really nice cross breeze and it would not be too warm. In reality, the cross-breeze was only moderately helpful in cooling off the barn. This is the only thing I am disappointed about, but I knew that I was gambling with the weather when I booked the venue. Unfortunately, I lost. 4. Make sure you provide receptacles for cigarette butts. This seems reasonable, but I was told 3 days before the wedding that if any cigarette butts were found outside the barn, our deposit would be lost. I'm not sure if this was even in the contract so beware. 5. Again, this is a wonderful venue for a Budget Bride because you are able to provide and serve your own alcohol... but only beer and wine. This was not a problem for me at all. 6. Good venue for kids. There was a playground and animal cages near the barn and the kids liked checking out the farm animals and playing on the playground (everything was far enough away that there was no farm animal smell). read more

This former workhouse has been turned into a turn of the 20th century country life museum. There are many exhibits staffed by volunteers demonstrating handicrafts. A number of events: such as the Wine Festival, and various music & folk festivals are held during the summer months. It's a great place to take kids too, & there is ample parking available. read more