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Maryland is known for crabs, horse racing, Old Bay, and beaches. But did you know about iron? Now in its 6th year, the Maryland Iron Festival has become a magnet for visitors of all ages.

The Iron Age, the sleepy village of Catoctin Furnace off Route 15 north of Frederick was once a bustling industrial iron furnace. Iron ore deposits were discovered there in the 1700s, and an iron furnace built by brothers James, Baker, Roger, and Thomas Johnson utilized the expertise of enslaved Africans to manufacture iron. The Johnson furnace was in blast by 1776, just in time to produce ammunition for the Continental Army, including shells fired during the siege of Yorktown. Catoctin Furnace produced iron until it closed in 1903, spelling the end of ironmaking in Frederick County.

Ferrous Festivities Today, the history of iron in Catoctin Furnace is celebrated at the Maryland Iron Festival: two days of food, fun, music, blacksmithing, and all things made of iron. Saturday, May 18 from 10 am until 6 pm and Sunday, May 19 from 10 am until 4 pm. The signature event of the festival is the iron pour at 1 pm on Saturday. Molten iron is heated to 3200 degrees and poured into molds. A limited number of blocks are available in advance to carve into custom molds, but everyone can be part of the excitement as the red-hot iron is poured. Call 240-288-7396 or Eventbrite link here to purchase a block to carve ($25 per block). While you are at the iron festival, you can visit the blacksmith shop to see how iron is worked into useful household objects. Or you can try your hand at plaster casting and Feats of Strength. The festival features live music by The Eric Byrd Trio, Shana Oshiro, Van Wagner, Slim Harrison, Robb Bomboy and Stone House Breakdown, and The Caswells. While you’re there, you can tour the furnace and ironmaster’s house ruins and the historic log cabin. Shop for gifts in the old Fraley Store and visit the museum to view the forensic facial reconstructions of two 19th century enslaved ironworkers. Tour Harriet Chapel where there are activities for kids and and tours of the historic structure. There are more kids’ activities at the log cabin. They can dress up in historic clothing and take pictures in the photo booth, play historic games like hoops and sticks, or make handkerchief dolls. Afterwards, you’ll be ready to relax in the beer and wine garden on the furnace green or stop by Sauced Savage BBQ or Fryzaholic food trucks for lunch. Top it off with a treat from the bake sale or the Snowball Waterfalls Truck. It’s a great time to get outside and have some ironclad fun.

The Maryland Iron Festival is free. Parking is available off-site at the Manor Area off Route 15 just north of Catoctin Furnace Road. From the parking area, it’s a half mile hike to the furnace along the Iron Trail, or you can take the festival shuttle. For more information about the Maryland Iron Festival, go to catoctinfurnace.org