Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland

09/19/2026

Thank you, Southern Living for naming Cumberland, MD, as one of the Top 16 Mountain Towns to Visit this Fall.

Come see for yourself! Follow Fall to Mountain Maryland. 🍂🍁

09/19/2026

We were excited to attend the dedication ceremony for "A Glimmer of Home," a new mural now on display on the CBIZ building in downtown Cumberland.

During the day, the pale blue and green geometric shapes trace historic maps of Cumberland, and the city's bend in the Potomac between the mountains. The color palette echoes the distant mountains against a chocolate-brown backdrop.

After dark, the same shapes read as deconstructed stained glass, drawing on the design of Cumberland's historic churches, including Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Ten handmade stained glass lamps are set into the piece, their warm colors a reference to Cumberland's history as home to five glass factories.

Projects like this add character to our downtown and give both residents and visitors another reason to stop, look around, and appreciate what makes this community special.

A big thank you to the Allegany Arts Council for making this project happen. If you're downtown, it's worth stopping to see it both by day and after dark.

09/18/2026

Soon! 🍂🍁

Fall color is coming. Make your plans to stay, explore and follow fall to Mountain Maryland.

https://www.mdmountainside.com/fall/
📍Point Lookout - Green Ridge State Forest

09/17/2026

It’s a big weekend in Mountain Maryland with the return of fall festival favorites, including the 21st Annual Appalachian Festival, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s Maryland RailFest, and the 8th Annual Dragons on the Lake Festival. Join us for a weekend full of live music, arts and culture, outdoor adventures, family fun, and more!

SEPTEMBER 17
🍅Allegany Farmers Markets at Canal Place
📽️Frostburg State University Appalachian Festival: Film Festival
🐎How to Draw Horses Workshop at Arcadian Gallery

SEPTEMBER 18
🍅Allegany Farmers Markets at City Place
🎨Practically Magic Pottery Paint Night at Mr. Toad's Pottery
🖼️Western Maryland Watercolor Society Exhibition
🪕Frostburg State University Appalachian Festival: Symposium
🚂Maryland RailFest 2026
🎸Jason McDonald Live at Locust Post Brewery

SEPTEMBER 19
🪕Frostburg State University Appalachian Festival
🥾Guided Hike at Evergreen Heritage Center Foundation
🎨Mr. Toad's Pottery 15th Birthday Bash
🐉8th Annual Dragons on the Lake Festival
🪕Appalachian Festival Capstone Concert: Missy Raines
🖼️Western Maryland Watercolor Society Exhibition
🚂Maryland RailFest 2026
🎸Jacob Ritter Live at 1812 Brewery
🎸Briana Merkel Live at Mad Hatter Bistro & Lounge
🎸Peace Junkies Live at Locust Post Brewery
🎶Tri-State Concert Association's 4-Artist Special
🎶Fall Kick-Off: Live. Loud. Late. at Fore Axes

SEPTEMBER 20
📖Classic Mystery Roundtable at Lily Books and Cafe
🪕Bluegrass Jam at 1812 Brewery
🖼️Western Maryland Watercolor Society Exhibition
🚂Maryland RailFest 2026

Learn more about these events and more - www.mdmountainside.com/events-calendar

09/16/2026

🍂 Big News! 🍂 Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, has been named one of USA TODAY 10Best “Best Places to Visit for Fall” — for the fourth year in a row!

Experience autumn aboard the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, pedal through the mountains with Tracks & Yaks rail biking, explore internationally recognized trail systems including the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath, travel the region’s scenic byways, or spend time exploring the historic downtowns of Cumberland and Frostburg.

Fall also brings a full calendar of festivals, outdoor recreation, local dining, craft beverages and seasonal events throughout Mountain Maryland.

Follow Fall in Mountain Maryland

09/15/2026

It’s a BIG weekend in Mountain Maryland. 🚂🎶🐉

From the mountains to the lake, there’s plenty happening across Allegany County:

🎶 21st Annual Appalachian Festival - Sept. 17-19
Three days celebrating Appalachian culture with the Frostburg State University Appalachian Festival through film, conversation, music, traditions and community capped off Saturday evening with Grammy-nominated bluegrass artist and Cumberland native Missy Raines.

🚂 Maryland Railfest 2026 - Sept. 18-20
Celebrate Cumberland’s railroad heritage with special excursions behind Western Maryland Scenic Railroad's steam locomotive No. 1309, visiting rail equipment, vendors, model trains, food, the Fireball Photo Experience and more.

🐉 8th Annual Dragons on the Lake - Sept. 19
Head to Lake Habeeb Saturday for high-energy dragon boat racing, food vendors and family-friendly fun, all supporting the Cumberland YMCA.

Three signature events. One very full Mountain Maryland weekend.

Make a weekend of it and come explore. 🍂

09/14/2026

🍂 Cumberland is getting some well-deserved fall love! 🍁

Southern Living has named Cumberland, Maryland, one of the 16 best Southern mountain towns to visit this fall!

From brilliant reds and golds across the Allegheny Mountains to historic downtown streets, scenic train rides, and miles of adventure along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath, Cumberland has plenty to offer when the leaves start to turn.

And if you’ve experienced autumn in Cumberland, you already know why it belongs on the list. ❤️🍂

From vibrant Appalachian villages to a cowboy town in the desert, these elevated escapes are true mountain gems.

09/14/2026

It is overlook season. 🍂🍁

Being in the mountains means vistas and views worth the road trip. With fall just around the corner, let us inspire your next scenic stop with some of the incredible overlooks waiting for you in Mountain Maryland.

https://www.mdmountainside.com/outdoors/overlooks

09/12/2026

It’s Heritage Days Festival weekend!

Experience George Washington's Revolutionary War replica command tents, living history, music, family activities, artisans, food, and America's 250th celebration.

This year’s schedule is FULL with weekend events spanning the whole city of Cumberland!

Join us.
https://www.mdmountainside.com/heritage-days

09/11/2026

Today marks 25 years since September 11, 2001.

We pause to remember the 2,977 lives lost that day, honor the first responders and heroes who answered the call, and reflect on a day that forever changed our nation.

The September 11th National Memorial Trail helps carry that memory forward, connecting the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93 National Memorial along a 1,500-mile route that travels through communities across the country—including here in Mountain Maryland.

Today, and always, we remember.

Learn more about the September 11th National Memorial Trail and its mission at https://www.911trail.org.