KINGFIELD – More than 1,500 people gathered Saturday on the sloping field at Jeff and Wendy Kennedy’s farm on Salem Road in Kingfield for the fourth annual Kingfield POPS Concert.
In three seasons, the Kingfield POPS has grown from a grass-roots outdoor concert to a day-long family event that this year included an arts and craft show and garden tour during the day, and the POPS concert in the evening. The concert opened with local musicians and culminated with a spirited and patriotic program of American music by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. The evening was topped off with a fireworks display.
Bobby Brown, a member of the Kingfield POPS board and master of ceremonies, said that there were definitely more pre-sold tickets this year for the concert. He felt a large part of that was due to the all-day Festival of the Arts and garden tours that were held this year for the first time.
“It just brought a lot more people to town by having an all-day event,” Brown said. “We are so fortunate to have had over 75 volunteers who gave all they had to make the concert a success.”
Brown added that the concert wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the some 40 corporate, organization and individual contributions. Funds from the concert help to support music programs in the SADs 58 and 9.
The evening of music opened with the Smith Brothers from Industry. Jay, 16, and Shane, 14, are both students at Mt. Blue High School. The duo plays several styles of fiddle music and drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
This year, for the first time, The Kruger Brothers joined the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. Uwe Kruger, lead vocalist and guitarist, said that the brothers met Joel Landsberg in Switzerland where the brothers lived. Landsberg, the bass player from Winterport, helped the brothers come to America. They have settled in north Wilkesboro, N.C.
Kruger said Kingfield reminded him a lot of Switzerland.
“We have performed in 37 states in the United States since coming here,” he said, “but Maine is the best.”
After Jens Kruger performed on the banjo, the brothers were given a standing ovation and extended their music at least a half hour into the concert much to the delight of the audience.
Bea Milewski, band director of instrumental music for the SAD 58 marching band, was honored with a plaque for her service to the school over the past five years. Band students Emily Gordan and Brittni Paul paid tribute to their director, describing Milewski in one word: “Selfless.”
“I just love kids and music. I’m a lucky person,” Milewski said after receiving the plaque.
Maestro Xiao-Lu Li, conductor of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, then took center stage and during the performance brought many veterans to their feet when his orchestra presented the “Armed Forces Salute.” Another favorite was John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” as a group of school children marched in front of the stage carrying the American flag.
Sally Swallow of Farmington was also given a standing ovation after she sang “God Bless America.”
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