Heritage Days street festival set
CUMBERLAND — Cumberland’s official street festival, Heritage Days is a celebration of the city’s past, which began long before the American Revolution.
Now in its 49th year, Heritage Days offers something for everyone from children to history buffs to arts and crafts collectors to those who just love festival food.
Always the second full weekend in June, this year’s Heritage Days is June 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and June 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The festival is located on historic Washington Street, known as the original site of Fort Cumberland and for its Victorian homes, and downtown Cumberland with its 19th and early 20th century architecture.
Of particular interest to history buffs is the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, located on the site of the original Fort Cumberland and the festival’s base for the mini-encampment of the Maryland Forces from Fort Frederick. The unit practices military drills and is on hand to answer period inquiries. The Army of the Potomac, 3rd MD Co. B, Vincent’s Brigade will have a living encampment of Civil War soldiers on the church grounds.
Tours of the tunnels under the church will be available. The tunnels date back to the mid-18th century and were part of the original Fort Cumberland. During the Civil War, the tunnels served as part of the Underground Railroad.
The Masonic Lodge, built in 1910 and located next to the Emmanuel Episcopal Church will offer tours on Saturday during Heritage Days. The temple features ceiling and wall paintings, elaborately carved ceremonial chairs, desks and altars.
Heritage Days is host to more than 125 artisans and food vendors, filling up the sidewalks on Washington and Baltimore Streets. Several of the vendors have made Heritage Days an annual event and consider the festival as one of their favorite summer festivals. This year, a band of up-and-coming local artisans are forming a weekend co-op to introduce their products to the public. Heritage Days is also an important fundraising opportunity for local organizations such as Wamba Caravan 89, Rotary Club of Cumberland, local churches and other nonprofits.
“We plan Heritage Days with the whole family in mind,” said Gayle Griffith, festival coordinator. “One of the most popular areas for families is the children’s carnival complete with Moon Bounce, Big Blue Whale, a Ferris wheel and lots of carnival games.”
Other children’s activities include pony rides, face painting, and the Allegany Arts Council’s Arts Bus, a traveling studio with a variety of children’s art projects. This year, the Washington Street library will host a special event on Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the “Little House on the Prairie” series, as well as, some book signings.
The music begins June 9 on the Canal Place festival grounds with a concert featuring the Frostburg Arion Band at 6:30 p.m. Shades of Blue will offer a Blues Brothers tribute on the Canal Place festival grounds June 10 beginning at 8 p.m. Both shows are free and open to the public. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, a variety of street performers will be on the Washington Street stage.
Coinciding with Heritage Days is the Whiskey Rebellion Festival at the Allegany Museum, June 9-12. The event will open June 9 at 6 p.m. with a Whiskey Rebellion Bash at the Allegany Museum, featuring tastings from seven distillers, including Maker’s Mark and local boutique distillers.
Tickets purchased prior to the event are reduced and include unlimited tastings, a souvenir shot glass, photo with “President George Washington,” canapés, and music by Grand Ole Ditch.
Tickets are available online at www.cumberlandhistorytours.com. There will be presentations of cigar/whiskey pairings, and free cigars. Guests will also have access to a cigar tent. On June 10 there will be a beer garden in front of the Western Maryland Railway Station serving craft and domestic beer during the late afternoon and evening.
Actors portraying the young Washington as commander of troops and reenactments of other scenes from our colonial history will visit all locations, and there will be chances to interact with amusements popular in mid-18th century colonial Maryland.
There is no admission fee to Heritage Days; however, some of the activities may charge a fee. A complete schedule of events and directions are available online at www.heritagedaysfestival.com, as well as, on the Heritage Days Festival Facebook page or by calling 301-722-0037
