SANGERVILLE – Down in a hollow rimmed by rows of plump strawberries and cornstalks, people from throughout New England gathered Saturday at the Stutzman Farm for a barbecue and live entertainment.

It was Stutzman Farm’s annual strawberry festival, a treat for the palate and a bonus for senior citizens on fixed incomes. For the fourth consecutive year, Sid and Rainie Stutzman and family have held the festival to raise funds for participation in the state farm share program, a nutrition program that allows senior citizens to receive $50 worth of farm-fresh vegetables and fruits for free. The farm already serves 530 senior citizens, and the proceeds from Saturday’s event raised enough to serve 30 more.

Unlike a couple of previous years when rain dampened the festivities, Saturday’s barbecue and folk-country concert was held under an azure sky that contained a plump, corn-yellow sun and white puffball clouds.

Seated in folding chairs, more than 200 people enjoyed a meal of potatoes and peas, gourmet salads, strawberry shortcake, hamburgers, homemade baked beans and iced tea. All of the fruits and vegetables were raised and harvested on the grounds.

“It’s kind of a backyard get-together,” Dennis Pearl of Sangerville said Saturday as he munched on a mound of strawberries perched atop a sweetcake. Pearl said he has attended every festival. “It’s just good food, real good music and I love it.”

Val and Ginny Coluni, along with their granddaughter Sabriah Coluni, 8, of Blacksburg, Va., came from their summer home on Sebec Lake.

“We’ve come every year,” Val Coluni said. “It’s certainly a great charity and it’s also indicative of helping others in the community at a time most seniors are struggling.”

While they left the event earlier than most, Herb Grant, 89, and Jane Grant, 83, of Dover-Foxcroft, one of the oldest couples attending, enjoyed the meal. It was the first time they had attended the festival.

Jennifer Panciera of Guilford found it refreshing to enjoy the fruits of her labor. “I probably picked some of the peas,” she said.

Reclining in his chair under the edge of a canopy, Brian Inch of Dover-Foxcroft said he liked the family-oriented atmosphere. He was accompanied by his very pregnant wife, Jessica, their son, Riley, 3, and an assortment of friends. “It’s rare to find something like this,” Jessica Inch said of the event, which featured the Doughty Hill Band and the Burnham Boys.

Rainie Stutzman was obviously pleased with the attendance but admitted she was extremely tired afterward. She and volunteers had prepared and served 220 pounds of hamburger, 16 quarts of strawberries, 40 quarts of gourmet salad and 200 shortcakes.

“It was highly successful,” Stutzman said, adding that the family hopes to keep building on the event. “We want everything possible for the seniors.”