Record-Breaking Crowd Sets Attendance Record for Levitt AMP Cumberland Music Series During The Foxies Performance

Record-Breaking Crowd Sets Attendance Record for Levitt AMP Cumberland Music Series During The Foxies Performance

Jul 28, 2026 8:30 AM

An estimated 750 people gathered at the Canal Place Festival Grounds on Thursday, July 23, for the Levitt AMP Cumberland Music Series performance by Nashville indie-rock band The Foxies, setting a new attendance record for the series since its launch in 2023.

The record-breaking crowd enjoyed free live music, arts activities, local food and beverage vendors, community outreach opportunities and programming centered on the evening's First Responder Night theme, underscoring the series' growing role as a community gathering place in downtown Cumberland.

"This was more than a great concert-it was a celebration of community," said Melanie Moore, director of Frostburg State University's Cultural Events Series (CES), which presents the series in partnership with the Allegany Arts Council, Loft 129, Allegany County Tourism - The Mountain Side of Maryland and the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority. "To welcome the largest audience in the history of the Levitt AMP Cumberland Music Series demonstrates how strongly our community has embraced this opportunity to come together through music, the arts and shared experiences."

Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss echoed that sentiment. "The turnout for The Foxies was remarkable and speaks to how much the community has embraced the Levitt AMP Cumberland Music Series. It was especially rewarding to see families enjoying the concert, meeting local first responders and spending time together in downtown Cumberland. This series demonstrates what can happen when community partners work together to create welcoming public spaces, support local businesses and bring people together through the arts."

As part of First Responder Night, attendees met representatives from the City of Cumberland Fire Department and City of Cumberland Police Department. Informational tables hosted by Allegany County Tourism and Savage Mountain Punk Arts also connected visitors with local resources and events.

The Allegany Arts Council offered a Kids Zone featuring face painting, crafts, an activity wall and a collaborative paint-by-numbers mural.

"It was wonderful to see so many families taking advantage of the Kids Zone throughout the evening," said Bethany Thomas, executive director of the Allegany Arts Council. "The excitement and creativity on display-from face painting and crafts to our collaborative mural project-showed how much people value opportunities to create, connect and participate together. Seeing children and adults engaged in the arts alongside a record-breaking crowd made the evening especially meaningful."

Food and beverages were available from Café 832, Open Kitchen International Street Food, In Between Café and 1812 Brewery, while the Levitt After Hours program encouraged concertgoers to continue the evening at Ottaviani Tasting Room and Lounge and support downtown businesses.

Patrons praised both the concert and the overall event experience. "We love the series, so family friendly," shared one attendee, while another declared, "The Levitt AMP concert series gets better every year!" Others highlighted the opportunity to discover new music through the series. "I love this series. It's an amazing way to find new artists and expand my song collection," one patron remarked. Another attendee summed up the evening's appeal, saying, "The atmosphere is awesome! And I really, really love that it's dog friendly!"

The Levitt AMP Cumberland Music Series continues Thursdays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 27 at the Canal Place Festival Grounds. Presented through a grant from the Levitt Family Foundation, the series is supported by Allegany County, the City of Cumberland, Frostburg State University and the Cumberland Arts & Entertainment District and numerous community sponsors. For more information, visit ces.frostburg.edu.

The Levitt Family Foundation partners with communities across the country to present free outdoor concerts that strengthen community connections through music. In 2026, the Foundation is supporting more than 900 free concerts in more than 90 towns and cities, reaching more than 1 million people. The Cultural Events Series at Frostburg State University is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council.

Photo credit: Melanie Moore