Mountain Fest Celebrates 50 Years
By Alisha Yocum
For the 50th Anniversary of Mountain Fest, patrons saw a mix of weather. Saturday was a beautiful fall day, but Sunday brought four inches of rain; despite the downpour, organizers and vendors prevailed to make the event a success.
It was 1976 when community members of the Northwestern Civic Association held its first Mountain Fest at the then Sabillasville Elementary School. The event originally started under the name Color Fest, but would later be changed to Mountain Fest due to copyright infringement.
The Northwestern Civic Association was first started with a mission of advocating community improvement and local social welfare within the northwestern region of Frederick County.
The event served as a fundraiser for the non-profit, which used some of the funds for scholarships to local students. In 2021, the Northwestern Civic Association disbanded, but its members wanted to continue to see the community event, which had been a staple meeting place for the community, keep going. It was then that the event was handed over to the now Sabillasville Environmental School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
The event now serves as the organization’s largest fundraiser to help support the school for things like field trips, family events, and resources for the classroom.
Melissa Beil, chair of the Mountain Fest Planning Committee, along with her husband Mark, said, “Although our family is relatively new to the community, having been here less than 10 years, we instantly felt connected. Mountain Fest is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a tradition that has brought families and neighbors together for 50 years. When the Northwest Civic Association passed the tradition down to the Sabillasville Environmental School PTO, we wanted to help keep it alive. We’re proud to be part of preserving this tradition while supporting the students of SES.”
Although the festival has evolved over the years, many of its favorite traditions remain.
The annual Car Show continues to draw a crowd, with more than 90 vehicles participating this year in support of the school. Bluegrass and country music remain popular attractions, while a variety of vendors offer something for everyone. Local church bake tables, some of which have been part of the festival since its early years, continue to draw visitors with their homemade treats.
The 50th anniversary also brought special recognition. Maryland Delegates William Valentine and William Wivell surprised the planning committee with a proclamation honoring Mountain Fest’s milestone anniversary.
While the PTO is hoping for sunnier skies next year, this year’s celebration demonstrated the dedication of the organizers, vendors, volunteers, and community members who keep the tradition alive. For 50 years, Mountain Fest has brought people together in Sabillasville, and its continued success ensures the tradition will carry on for future generations while supporting the students and staff of Sabillasville Environmental School.
Delegate William Valentine and Delegate William Wivell present a proclamation in celebration of the 50th Annual Sabillasville Mountain Fest (from left): Diane Brauning, Melissa Beil, Brad Brauning, Delegate Wivell, Alisha Yocum, Delegate Valentine, and Mark Beil.
