Thomas Point Beach — for folks fortunate to know this pristinely beautiful area, these words will conjure up memories of family reunions, weddings, camping trips, corporate outings, church picnics and major public events. Recently, I was lucky enough to sit down with Pati Crooker, park manager and owner and learn firsthand more of its fascinating background.

In 1840, Samuel Groves built the existing farm house on the Thomas Point Beach property, and in the early 1900s, Ida Hambleton, a relative, inherited the estate. Originally from California, she developed and maintained the site as a summer recreational park with dance hall and food services.

The Brunswick Naval Air Station ran the park for a short time, as well as the town of Brunswick. In 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Crooker purchased and developed the 27 acre property to make the land the public facility it has become today. In part, Harry did this to keep his construction workers employed during the long winter. The park has been managed by Pati since 1972 and in 1993, she became the sole owner and now operates as Thomas Point Beach, Inc.

Here are just a few of the remarkable sights to be seen. The ten Mill Stones located throughout the grounds are all authentic and from the state of Maine. These are part of the Harry and Marion Crooker private collection and known to be the largest collection of mill stones in existence. The large yellow steeple standing alone behind the Maine Lodge came from St. Mary’s Church in Bath — its unique beehive style design is not carried out by builders of today. The four-faced Westminster chime clock at the beachfront chimes every one quarter hour.

Very few of these clocks remain in the country. The Maine Woods Band was added during the 1998 Bluegrass Festival. Local artist Time Picket from Elliot, sculpted one animal a year, during the festival, with a chainsaw. This is the only band of its kind in the world! The totem pole at the entrance gate was carved by he Alaskan Indians at the New York World’s Fair in 1964 when Alaska was first recognized as a wtate. It is made of one solid piece of red cedar and stands thirty five feet tall. In 2006, Thomas Point Beach celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 2008, the 2007 festival was awarded “The Event of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville, Tennessee.

A vivacious lady herself, Pati epitomises the essence of the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival. It began in 1979 and made a profit of $3.16. Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music, played this festival in 1982 1983, 1988 and 1989. More than 200 bands have played throughout the years and people from many countries have attended this event. Since he was born, Michael, Pati’s son, has opened all but two Festivals with the Pledge of Allegiance, (he was at college those years.) He is currently “on duty at the gate house.”

Festivals have included fireworks, a hot air balloon, weddings, special guest appearances from Miss Maine, a visit from the governor, and much more. Numerous souvenir Martin guitars and one Eastman mandolin have been raffled over the years. This hugely popular event was retired in 2008, after 30 years.

As the millstone in the photograph reads — “Marion A. and Harry C. Crooker. 50 years of Family, Fun and Friends. Mr. and Mrs. Crooker’s hopes and plan for this Park was to offer a safe recreation area for families and children. This is our purpose and this is what we do.” Thousands would testify to their achievement.

In 2011, the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Special made its debut and bluegrass music is reborn here “Where the Music Meets the Sea!” This year it will be held Sept. 4-6. My opinion may be a trifle biased, but be assured this is one event you should not miss.