Each fall, the excitement builds as generations of fans from Allegany High School and Fort Hill High School fill Greenway Avenue Stadium for the annual Homecoming game. This year’s matchup will take place on Halloween afternoon, bringing alumni, families, and visitors to Cumberland. The rivalry has been a part of Cumberland’s story for generations, and the stadium serves as the heart of its traditions. Following last year’s game, Fort Hill improved to 69-32-4 all-time against Allegany. The annual matchup also brings former residents back to Cumberland, providing an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family and see recent changes throughout the community.
“People move away for jobs and haven't been back to Cumberland, and I think they’re blown away by the things that are going on with Cumberland,” said Melinda Kelleher, Cumberland Main Street Manager.
“When this special game happens every year, it does bring people to town, which in turn positively impacts the Main Street District,” Kelleher said.
For returning residents and visitors, Homecoming also offers a chance to experience Cumberland beyond the football field. A weekend in town can mean a stay at the Wills Hotel or Fairfield Inn & Suites, a meal at a local restaurant, or time spent shopping and exploring Baltimore Street. In a small town like Cumberland, that connection between community tradition and economic activity is an important part of what makes Homecoming significant.
"Traditions like Homecoming strengthen Cumberland’s sense of place. They bring residents and alumni together, support local businesses, and reinforce the connections that keep people tied to the community,” said Nathan Price, Senior Project Manager for Allegany County Economic and Community Development.
For Cody Morgan, owner of Mountain Maryland Trading Post and a 2011 Fort Hill graduate, Homecoming is a family tradition. Morgan and his wife met in the Fort Hill band, where they both played drums throughout all four years of high school. Today, they remain self-proclaimed die-hard fans, attending games whenever they can with their young children. Each year, their family hosts a party before and after the game, bringing friends and relatives together. “Even if people don’t normally attend the game, they often come into town just for the Homecoming game,” Morgan said. “So it’s a good time to spend with folks that we don’t see every year or throughout the year.”
Morgan also observes the impact of Homecoming on his business, as he creates Fort Hill merchandise and personalized items for students and families in preparation for the game. In the days leading up to Homecoming, there is an uptick in activity at Mountain Maryland Trading Post, with parents and fans purchasing merchandise, locker decorations, and other items. He donates proceeds from his Fort Hill merchandise back to the school to help meet student and school needs. “I'm always trying to find ways that I can give back to the community,” Morgan said. “Not just being a store downtown for people to come shop at, but finding ways to meaningfully contribute to the local community.”
Other downtown businesses also see Homecoming as an opportunity to welcome back longtime customers and reconnect with the community. “Homecoming gives us a chance to welcome people back to Cumberland, hear their stories and memories, and share a little of the flavor they remember,” said Mike and Suzanne D’Atri, owners of Downtown D’Atri Pasta and Subs on Baltimore Street. The restaurant’s connection to both sides of the rivalry adds to the tradition, with customers invited to share their own Allegany or Fort Hill stories for a discount when they stop in for a Homecoming meal.
Tony Ottaviani, a 1994 Fort Hill graduate and owner of Ristorante Ottaviani, remembers Homecoming as a time when students and alumni gathered on the hillside to cheer on the Sentinels. Today, he sees the tradition differently as a downtown business owner
“Homecoming is a special time for Cumberland,” Ottaviani said. “Every year, so many people come home for the weekend, which absolutely has a positive effect on our business.”
The Allegany-Fort Hill rivalry has endured for generations. For those who return to Mountain Maryland, Homecoming is more than a game. It is a chance to see old friends, share stories, support local businesses, and experience a community that continues to grow and change while holding onto the traditions that make it home.
Discover more about what’s happening in Allegany County on our blog.
