All Hands on Deck

Come on down to the Victorian Chautauqua

Look Back & Plan Ahead

A Fresh Tradition Makes A Big Impression

The weekend following each 4th of July marks the Victorian Chautauqua Festival. As Maryland’s Original Chautauqua resort community, Mountain Lake Park revives and remembers the founding of the town with a weekend-long celebration.

Programs are designed for all ages and feature historical portrayals, lectures, live music, artisans, food, a vintage card display, tintype photography, Vaudeville acts, and children’s activities. The popular Town Trolley rides provide historic neighborhood tours. Each year, the festival grows with new experiences showcasing the best of Mountain Lake Park. Enjoy the galleries below and mark your calendar for the next one!

Wheelman, Brian Birkner

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Jesus Himself”

Jo Ann Dadisman

Kid-Tauquau presentation

Frederick Douglass

Portrayed by A.C. Anderson

Wirestorm Creations

Jewelry and decorative items

Ulysess S. Grant

Portrayed by Tom Peterson

Soapbox Agenda

Matt's Blues

Silhouettes By Hand

Lauren Muney

Model T Rides

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Hoots, Toots, Peants, and Peeps

Kevin Dodge presents the animal kingdom’s night shift in Garrett County

Contestants for the Women's Victorian Hat Competition

Lauren Muney gets a tintype photo by Chris Jones

Tintype Photo of Brian Birkner

Strong Man Cody Prepares for 650lb. Deadlift

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Black Magic”

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Jesus Himself”

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Jesus Himself”

Indigenous People of Garrett County

Presented by Ryan Harrod

Playtime

Model T Car Rides

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Miss Chief”

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Miss Chief”

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Alison Wonderland”

Captain James Hayden

Portrayed by Don Sincell

Family Tintype Photo

The Barefoot Historian, Courtney Cauthon

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Alison Wonderland"

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Miss Chief”

Town Trolley Boardwalk Tours

Vintage Automobile

Beard & Mustache Contest

Bear & Hat Competition Contestants

Women's Victorian Hat Competition Contestants

Eliza B. Swan

Portrayed by Lisa Bender

Christina McAlpine

Women’s Victorian Hat Competition Grand Champion

Touring the Ticket Office Museum

Beards, beards, everywhere

Courtney Cauthon

The Barefoot Historian judges the Women’s Victorian Hat Competition.

Jenny Lind "The Swedish Nightengale"

Portrayed by JoAnn Peterson

Enjoying the Show

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Black Magic”

Bubbles!

Crowds At Vaudeville In The Street

Soup Camel at Vaudeville In The Street

Frederick Douglass

Portrayed by A.C. Anderson

Oakland B&O Museum Exhibit

President McKinley

Portrayed by Bill Grant

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Portrayed by Phyllis Anderson

Black Magic Burlesque

Anthony Wroten, Director of Oakland and Grantsville Arts & Entertainment Districts

Emcee for the Beards & Hats competitions.

Matt's Blues

Mark Rinehart Leatherworks

Town Trolley

Touring Mountain Lake Park’s Historic District

Deep Creek Baskets & Collage

Country Parson Honey

Black Magic Burlesque

Featuring “Miss Chief”

All Hands on Deck

Look Back & Plan Ahead

A Fresh Tradition Makes A Big Impression

Our Generous Sponsors

THE VICTORIAN CHAUTAUQUA
JULY 11 & 12, 2026

All Hands on Deck

Look Back & Plan Ahead

A Fresh Tradition Makes A Big Impression

Our Generous Sponsors

THE VICTORIAN CHAUTAUQUA JULY 11 & 12, 2026

THE VICTORIAN CHAUTAUQUA
JULY 11 & 12, 2026