Performace Dates: December 2 to December 6

Performace Location: The Oakland Armory (now the Oakland Community Center), starting at 6:30 PM

Free hot food and drink: Because of the cold weather that is typical of December and the length of the event each evening, area churches will offer free coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, and other drinks and food to the performance audience.

Cost: FREE! All performances, food, etc. will be free, just as the gift of Christ is free to us.

In 1999, a small group of people wanted to do something for the Garrett County community at Christmastime. Our county features a lot of Christmas performances each year, but many people don't attend them because they either aren't familiar enough with the location or their financial situation does not allow them to pay even a $5 admission fee for their family members. In response to this, the Joy of Christ Celebration is an annual Christmas event based on the following principles:

1. Offer high-quality seasonal entertainment for citizens and visitors of Garrett County

2. Everything at the event is FREE, including: admission, refreshments, and all of the performers' merchandise

3. Hold the performances in an easy to find public location.

4. Focus on the spirit, joy, and historical events on which the Christmas celebration is based.

Over the past 20 years, the Joy of Christ celebration has grown in attendance and scope to 5 nights of concerts and performances each year.