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Heritage Days Traffic Pattern Changes

September 11th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

The Annual Heritage Days Festival will take place this weekend, beginning Saturday, September 13th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and continuing on Sunday, September 14th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Due to the large number of attendees expected, temporary traffic pattern changes will be implemented to ensure public safety and minimize delays. These changes will take effect one hour before the festival begins each day and will remain in place until the event concludes.

Traffic Pattern Changes

  • Southbound Mechanic Street: Traffic will be diverted onto Frederick Street. Motorists can then use Queen City Drive to bypass the closed portion of Mechanic Street.
  • Northbound Mechanic Street: Vehicles will be detoured onto Harrison Street, then to Queen City Drive, to avoid the closed section. Those traveling to the west side of the city or into West Virginia should use I-68 West and exit at Beall Street to access Greene Street.
  • Southbound Bedford Street: Motorists will be redirected at Mechanic Street onto Frederick Street and then to Queen City Drive.
  • Northbound Greene Street: As in previous years, turning onto Washington or Cumberland Streets from Greene Street will not be permitted. Traffic will be funneled into a single lane prior to Baltimore Street. From there, only a right turn onto Mechanic Street or continuing straight onto Baltimore Street will be allowed.
  • Tractor-Trailers: All tractor-trailer traffic is advised to avoid the downtown area and use Queen City Drive as an alternate route.

Parking Information

Festival attendees may use both the Frederick Street Parking Garage and the Centre City Parking Garage. Please note that the blue level in both garages will be closed to parking, but all other levels remain available.  As a reminder the City Centre Parking Garage offers two hours of free parking.

The Cumberland Police Department urges all motorists to remain alert and cautious while driving in the downtown area this weekend, due to altered traffic routes and increased pedestrian activity.