KINGFIELD — Dozens of musicians arrived by tour bus Saturday afternoon at the Kingfield Elementary School.

They started in Portland, stopped for others in Topsham, and arrived for their performance at the seventh annual Kingfield POPs festival.

The group rehearsed, did a sound check, and relaxed before changing into formal attire for the concert across the street at the Kennedy Farm.

Ellen Rust and Jayne Sawtelle finished their brown bag suppers and spent a few more minutes relaxing with band mates Larry Douglas and Richard Merrill.

“There are 70 of us in the band, and probably half are music teachers,” Rust said. “The others just enjoy getting together to play music.”

A few of the band members are in their early 20s, while others are in their 70s and 80s.

“We even had a band member in her 90s,” Rust said.

Meanwhile, concert volunteers were directing traffic as cars parked nearly a quarter of a mile away in both directions and on both sides of Route 142.

The event usually draws more than 1.000 attendees, but this year’s wet weather dampened some of the enthusiasm of even the most loyal supporters.

“We have more volunteers than ever, though,” board member Melanie Meldrum said. “We have fantastic fans, and they come no matter what the weather’s like.”

The endless hours the board members spend planning the event are worth every minute, Meldrum said, because the year-round project brings an added benefit to area students.

“We always ask people to go through their attics and basements and closets to donate musical instruments they no longer want, because we can have them repaired to use in the schools,” she said.

“Some of the ones we’ve gotten this year just needed a little cleaning or some minor repairs.”

The Western Mountains Steel Drum Band brought a dash of Caribbean flavor to visitors as they walked through the gates. Other local performers
entertained the crowds picnicking on blankets and lounging on lawn chairs,enjoying one of the few sunny evenings in June.

Near the stage, a small group urged other youngsters to try one of the many instruments.

School Administrative District 58 parents and volunteers Giselle Chenard and Ellen James said the primary mission of the annual concert is to support districts 58 and 9 youth music programs, performance opportunities, and music education
throughout the region.