Events

2023 Maryland Iron Festival

The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. will present the fifth annual Maryland Iron Festival during the weekend of May 20 & 21, 2023 in partnership with Cunningham Falls State Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, Frederick County Public Libraries, Visit Frederick, and Harriet Chapel. The free festival will commemorate the state as a center for the craft of ironmaking and feature traditional blacksmithing, period music, food trucks, feats of strength, an artisan and makers market, garden and trail tours, artisan demonstrations, children’s activities, fascinating archaeology talks about the amazing discoveries at Catoctin Furnace, and more. Visitors can also walk the Catoctin Furnace African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail, read the wayside panels and visit the Museum of the Ironworker.

MIF Festival Events – full event schedule coming soon

• 11:00 AM: Join Catoctin Mountain Park Rangers for a tour of the Charcoal Trail. Check in at the ranger pop-up station. 
• Between 1:00-2:00 PM, Saturday only: The live iron pour. 

Vendor and Plein Air Artists: Please see the following information about registering to participate in the craft market and plein air art show. 

2023 MIF Call for Artists: Plein Air Art Show

Plein Air Artists: You may pay the artist fee by using the link below or mailed check. 

Online form: 

If you pay your Plein Air registration fee online you do not need to email us directly as your participation will be noted by the completion of your online registration. 

Mailed check:

If you choose to register by mailing a check please email us to let us know so that we may add you to the list of participants. Please email your first and last name, phone number to info@catoctinfurnace.org with the subject line: 2023MIFPLEINAIR. If you mail your check in leu of the online form; please send it to 12610 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. 

2023 MIF Call for Artists: Craft Market

All artists who have previously participated in one of our events are automatically eligible to participate. If you have not participated in a CFHS Craft Market and are interested in participating, please email us directly with the subject line below. Please introduce yourself and provide a link to your site or social media accounts. We will then review your request.

Please note that all spaces are filled in the event tent but we are still accepting craft market applications. 

Artists:  The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society invites you to apply to participate as a vendor for this year’s Maryland Iron Festival: Craft Market. 

Please fill out and send us your Craft Market registration paperwork and email to info@catoctinfurnace.org  with the subject line 2023MIFARTIST.

Artists:  You may pay the artist fee by using the link below or mailed check. If you mail your check, please send it to 12610 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.