Two County Marching Bands Crowned State Champions
Frederick, MD · November 12, 2026
A thick river mist is blanketing Carroll Creek this morning. Give yourself an extra five minutes on the road, then settle in for a lively Thursday.
The Lead
Oakdale High School and Middletown High School both captured overall state titles at the Maryland Marching Band Association State Championships at Towson University, capping off grueling fall rehearsal schedules with top honors.
Oakdale claimed the 4A division crown with their production "The Space Between the Lines" under director Victor Hornilla, sweeping specialty awards for music performance, visual performance, overall effect, and percussion. Out in the valley, Matthew Shearer guided Middletown High to the 1A crown with their show set to the music of Elton John, also earning awards for color guard, percussion, and overall effect. Walkersville and Tuscarora picked up top caption honors in their classes, marking one of the strongest countywide showings in recent memory. Band boosters and school communities will formally celebrate the hardware when trophy showcases are installed before winter concerts begin next month.
Local Pulse
Carroll Creek Garage Clears Second Deck Transit Drivers must move vehicles off the second level through Friday afternoon as crews complete structural deck repairs.
City Launches Ten-Year Strategic Cultural Plan City Hall Residents can complete a new online survey this month to guide municipal funding for public arts through 2035.
Biotech Firm Expands Manufacturing in County Business Theradaptive opened a 23,000-square-foot production facility off Monocacy Boulevard, adding local lab and engineering jobs over five years.
Today's Outlook
- High 62°F · Low 45°F — Fog (26% chance of precipitation)
- Expect low visibility for the morning drive and keep a light jacket handy today.
What's On Around Town
Today
Paws to Read Walkersville Branch Library (2 S Glade Rd), Walkersville, 6:30–7:30 PM · Free Young readers gain confidence reading aloud to gentle therapy dogs.
Pour House Trivia Steinhardt Brewing Company (340 E Patrick St), 7:00–9:00 PM · Free Test your team's knowledge alongside fresh craft pints by the creek.
Classic Film Series: The Witches (1990) Weinberg Center for the Arts (20 W Patrick St), 7:30 PM · Paid Anjelica Huston stars in Roald Dahl's delightfully eerie classic on 35mm.
Tomorrow
Frederick at Night Downtown Frederick, 5:00–8:00 PM · Free
PURPLE FLO Live in Concert Rockwell Brewery (8411 Broadband Dr), 8:00–11:00 PM · Free
That's What She Said Maryland Ensemble Theatre (31 W Patrick St), 8:30 PM · $17
Saturday
The FEW Live Upstairs at Smoketown (223a W Potomac St), Brunswick, 7:00 PM · $15–30
Sweet Dreams: Mandy Barnett Sings Patsy Cline Weinberg Center for the Arts (20 W Patrick St), 8:00 PM · Paid
Spotlight & Story
- Dutch's Daughter
- When Eileen Gideon opened her doors in 1984, she operated out of a local VFW hall, naming the eatery for her father, Fred “Dutch” Onderdonk. She expanded to Himes Avenue in March 2000, where multi-level dining and stone fireplaces in Dutch’s Dungeon still pack tables.
Frederick Daily Digest — compiled from local sources every morning. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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