Any outdoor festival is subject to the whims of the weather, and this year’s Music and Arts Festival at Flye Point was no exception.

“Last year we had a perfect sunny day,” said festival organizer Jeff Salzmann, glancing up at the gray and rainy

sky. “So this year we have a little rain. It evens out. I think it’ll all work out.”

Salzmann was right. A little rain and fog could do nothing to dampen the excellence of the music or the spirits of the several thousand in attendance. The moody weather actually seemed to add to the ambiance of the event, providing a constantly shifting backdrop for the festival stage: the horizon line between sea and sky vanished and reappeared, nearby islands looked like misty Chinese watercolors and the beautiful meadow at Flye Point sprouted a mushroom field of multicolored umbrellas.

As the weather shifted between fog and rain, the stage shifted between performers, beginning at 10:30 AM and continuing until nearly nine. First to appear was Kevin Roth, whose performances on dulcimer and “guitar-cimer” set a magical tone for an audience of a few early arrivals.

Following Roth was Maine’s well-loved David Mallet, eliciting cheers from the growing audience for his music and for mentions of local lore and landmarks. Ably accompanied by fiddler Susan Ramsey Crippen and bassist Mike Burd, Mallet sounded remarkably focused considering the time of day. “I’m just not used to playing in the morning!” he joked after the set.

Al Stewart took the stage next, charming the audience with a series of funny stories about everything from fictional European gymnasts to the history of pop music. But Stewart also managed to fit in a lot of music, whole songs performed in his distinctive rock-star voice, as well as playful bursts of guitar riffs, erupting within songs or stories as naturally as laughter or tears.

Next, making their third consecutive appearance at the Flye Point Festival, was a group of young performers from Woodstock, New York called The Mammals. Playing bluegrass laced nuevo-punk folkpop like a barn on fire, every musician in this band

performed with passion and energy, inspiring many in the audience to get up on their rubber-booted feet to dance in the wet grass. Ruth Ungar, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, brothers Michael and Chris Merenda and Jacob Silver put on a great show, which should never be missed.

Kids on stage are always cute, but the group of young singers from the music program in Brooklin, Maine who appeared next on the bill, was more than cute. Led by accomplished Maine musician Paul Sullivan, who has been teaching music in the school

for two years, the children were accompanied onstage by veteran performers Dave Grisman and Noel Paul Stookey as they sang a series of songs ranging from Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” to the famous Grateful Dead song, “Ripple.”

After hearty applause

from the crowd for his appearance with the children, Stookey returned to the stage for his own set, accompanied by the able playing of bassist Richard Kniss. Stookey is always funny and always professional, but his performance at the

festival made it clear that his music is also always positive, inspirational without ever being preachy.

Folk legend Tom Rush was next. His rich voice purring with emotion and sensuality, Rush performed a well-rounded and well-received set. For those who missed this appearance, Rush plans to be back in Maine in early September at a festival on Mount Desert Island.

After a day of fog and rain, the clouds parted, and legendary singer Odetta took the stage amidst a glow of late afternoon sunlight. Accompanied by pianist Radoslav Lorkovic, whose barrelhouse rolls and nuanced playing added a jazzy quality to the set, Odetta’s timeless voice was as bold and brave as ever. Setting up each of her songs with short talks about social and historical issues, her performance included raunchy blues tunes as well as children’s songs and several Leadbelly

compositions.

Last on the bill were old friends John Sebastian and David Grisman, who have been playing together and apart for well more than 40 years. Sebastian, famous for hits in the 1960’s with his group The Lovin’ Spoonful and Grisman, best known for his work with Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, performed together so naturally it was like slipping into that favorite pair of old blue jeans. Perhaps a bit frayed and showing some wear, the quality was there, and the comfortable feel was beyond compare.

After thrilling the crowd with a series of rags and shuffles Sebastian gave the crowd new versions of his hits “Daydream,” “Younger Girl” and, in a truly magical encore, “Do You Believe in Magic.”

The festival was the success it was due to the efforts of many people, including supporters, volunteers and staff. But special kudos must be given to the excellent work of the stage crew who made stage changes smoothly and quickly, keeping

everything running on time.

As the crowd streamed out through the deepening night toward shuttle buses and parking lots, words and phrases could be heard in snatches: “Wonderful” “Best ever” “Incredible” and, most often heard, “See you next year!”