Autumn Glory Firemen’s Parade Set for October 8
Join the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department as it celebrates 132 years of service with the Annual Autumn Glory Festival Firemen’s Parade on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Oakland, Maryland!
The parade begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy an evening celebrating the fire companies and rescue squads that serve our communities.
Information for Participating Departments
Parade units will begin assembling at 5:00 p.m. at Walmart, approximately one mile north of Oakland on Garrett Highway. Participating companies should arrive between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. Units will enter the lineup in the order they arrive.
Judging will take place from 5:00 to 6:45 p.m. before the parade. Units must be judged to qualify for an award, and each company may enter only one unit per category.
Award Categories
Best Appearing Firefighting Apparatus — 1,000 GPM and Above
Best Appearing Firefighting Apparatus — 750 GPM and Below, including Engine/Mini Pumper
Best Appearing Brush Truck
Best Appearing Ambulance/Medic Unit
Best Appearing Rescue Engine, Rescue, or Equipment Truck
Best Appearing Tanker/Pumper Tanker
Best Appearing Aerial Apparatus
Best Appearing Specialized Unit — Command Unit, EMS Chase Unit, Boat, Fire/EMS Float, Chief’s Car, Air/Light Unit, or Utility Vehicle
Best Appearing Antique Apparatus — 2001 or Older
Best Appearing Fire Department — Two or More Units
Judges’ Choice
Longest Distance Traveled — Maryland
Longest Distance Traveled — Out of State
For everyone’s safety, candy and other articles may not be thrown along the parade route.
Awards and Food Following the Parade
An awards ceremony for participating departments will take place immediately after the parade at the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department. Food vendors will also be available in the parking lot adjacent to the station for everyone to enjoy.
Departments staying for the awards are encouraged to park their units along both sides of Second Street, approximately one block from the event.
For questions, contact Parade Chairman Todd Hetrick at 301-616-6344. Participating departments can RSVP using the QR code on the accompanying flyer.
Help us celebrate Oakland Volunteer Fire Department—100% volunteer since 1894!