CUMBERLAND - Planning for the show will go on - for now, at least.

Jenny Lazarus, public affairs specialist for the Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority, is chairwoman of the steering committee to begin planning for a one-day Canal-Fest/RailFest.

Lazarus said Tuesday during a board of directors meeting that the committee's first meeting last week produced a consensus to have the festival - with events scheduled from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 12 - highlight the area's transportation heritage.

Planning for the 11th annual festival is expanding to include Cumberland's arts and entertainment and historic districts in the celebration. The steering committee is comprised of a wide cross-section of civic and business leaders in Allegany County to help the festival achieve a big punch - albeit with a smaller budget.

"We're very, very proud of what we're putting together," Lazarus said. "We're working towards having a wonderful festival. We're working on a very small budget. We're just being creative."

Earlier this month, Howard Buchanan, board chairman, said the authority would be cutting back to a "care-taking operation" due to budget constraints. He said there was a chance the festival could be eliminated altogether.

State lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee in Annapolis appear to be having a difficult time being convinced Canal Place deserves continued funding without some sort of local financial assistance. The county rejected the authority's request to invest a portion of its share of the hotel/motel tax directly to the authority. City Administrator Jeff Repp said Cumberland officials, likewise, have stalled further talks until a hotel is built and generating revenue.

But organizers are hopeful that discussion doesn't overwhelm visitors' enjoyment of the festival - which will be highlighted by the musical talent of the 257th Army Band from the District of Columbia's National Guard. The band will be complemented during the day by Shanty Irish, a local group, and other volunteer musicians.

Lazarus said there also will be the Special Olympics train pull, an event that drew 18 teams and raised about $9,000 for the local disabled athletes organization last year.

"I want people to understand that this event is going to focus on Cumberland's very rich transportation heritage and is going to incorporate many of the wonderful heritage-based assets."

Board member Becky McClarran, representing the Downtown Cumberland Business Association, said organizers plan to promote the Queen City Transportation Museum, Allegany County Museum, Gordon- Roberts House and the tunnels - formerly part of the Underground Railroad - under Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Washington Street.

"It's nice we're getting back to the roots of what this festival should be," McClarran said.

The area's shopkeepers and businesses are "all looking to spend wisely, share thoughts and share events," McClarran said of the cooperation between the DCBA, Downtown Development Commission, and officials from the city and authority.

Committee members also hope the Celtic cross, a tribute to the Irish canal and railroad workers, and the George Washington Memorial statue - to be placed in front of the Allegany County Circuit Courthouse - are ready to be unveiled that day.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.