BRUNSWICK

The Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival has returned, carrying on the legacy of the late Pati Crooker, who started the festival in 1979.

Her son, Michael Mulligan, and his wife, Jennifer, with the help of family and close friends, have now carried on the tradition, but also making it their own. This year is special, said Michael, noting the festival was brought back for their family, for the music and for the community.

“It’s beyond words,” Mulligan said of the festival, adding it was never a question of whether the festival would return, but how.

Crooker, who died last year, had organized much of the festival on her own for many years, so for the Mulligans it was just a matter of bringing it all together again this year and continuing her legacy.

Crooker’s love of bluegrass music grew as the festivals were hosted at Thomas Point Beach. Initially, Crooker was looking for something to fit the family atmosphere of the campground, and, without many expectations, booked a bluegrass festival, her family said. She made $12 the first year, which she was told was a good start, as in the inaugural year many festivals lose money. From there, the festival grew and solidified its reputation in the music community, attracting bands from across the nation.

The Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival was established in 1979 with the goal of bringing traditional bluegrass music to coastal Maine. Since its inception, the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival has hosted more than 200 performers.

Shari Elder, who helped the Mulligans organize the festival, said attendees come for the music and the camaraderie. She said Thomas Point Beach is known as a reunion of sorts for the bluegrass community, as the last festival of the year and the last hurrah of the season.

Roger and Eva Bernier, from West Gardiner, returned for the festival after coming two years ago. Both amateur musicians — who play the banjo and mandolin, respectively — said they know the grounds and love the venue and music, which is what brought them back this year.

Dick C., who said everybody knows him as “Dixie,” traveled to the festival from upstate New York with his wire-haired dachshund, Oscar. He has been to several festivals this year, with only enough time in between to mow his lawn before taking off again, and this is the last one on his tour. With a nearly eight-hour drive to Brunswick from his hometown of Mariah on Lake Champlain, Dixie said he has made certain he has eaten his fill of lobsters, which is what he had for his recent birthday supper.

He said what he especially loves about Thomas Point Beach is the music played all night long, all summer.

“There’s music all over the place here,” he said.

“This festival is important, not only to us, but to so many people in the bluegrass community. It’s only natural that we continue,” said Michael. “Where else would we be, or what else would we be doing on Labor Day weekend? This is as much a family reunion as it is a festival, it is a part of us, and we are incredibly lucky to have a strong network of support to help us continue my mother’s legacy in a big way. I think she would be proud.”

The lineup

Performers will include local musicians such as Erika Brown, the Katahdin Valley Boys and The New England Bluegrass Band. Other performers include Grammy award winners from the past four years running: 2017 winner and fiddle virtuoso Mark O’Connor and the O’Connor Band (Saturday and Sunday), 2016 winner The Steeldrivers (Friday), 2015 winner Jerry Douglas & The Earls of Leicester (Sunday) and 2014 winner and festival favorite The Del McCoury Band (Friday).

Saturday’s headliners include Dailey & Vincent, who were recently inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

Closing the show is The Gibson Brothers, who have been nominated for seven International Bluegrass Music Awards in 2017 including Entertainer of the Year and both brothers, Leigh and Eric, have been nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year.

Also performing is the nationally known act Blue Highway and The Grascals.

Billy Strings from Nashville will perform Sunday.

Two family bands, The Feinberg Brothers from New York and The Band of Kelleys from North Carolina, make their Thomas Point Beach debut this year.

On Friday, Mile Twelve from Boston’s Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory will take the stage.

Music starts at noon on Friday, and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A full schedule is available online.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com