What began as a sizable crowd of 50 swelled to more than 70 as the Hallowell Community Band played its fifth 2026 concert Aug. 6 on the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library lawn. The almost 80-year-old troupe has come to the Boothbay region for its annual summer concert series for decades. They perform a new set every Thursday at 7 p.m until Sept. 10.   

After the customary playing of the American and Canadian national anthems, their Aug. 6 concert featured Spanish composer Jamie Texidor's "Amparito Roca," "Greeting to Bangor" by Maine composer Robert Browne Hall, a.k.a. the March King of New England, and Howard Walter's novelty song "Instant Concert," a medley of over 30 pieces, among others. The band also stunned with two new additions to their repertoire: ABBA's "Dancing Queen" (inspiring some dancing from the crowd) and the popular "Malagueña” by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. 

The band’s next concert is Aug. 13. Bring your own chairs or blankets!