Maine’s favorite folk band, Schooner Fare, will headline the music program at this year’s Olde Bristol Days. This year is the 65th annual celebration, taking place in Pemaquid on Aug. 10-13. As always, admission to all events is free.

Schooner Fare – brothers Steve and Chuck Romanoff – have been performing traditional, maritime and Celtic folk music for more than three decades. They have a following across the U.S. and Canada and are expected to draw a crowd to the Fort house at Colonial Pemaquid State Park immediately after the Olde Bristol Days Parade on Saturday morning, with music starting around 11.30 a.m. Schooner Fare are sponsored by The First.

The musical offerings for Olde Bristol Days start on the Thursday evening, when long-time Bristol favorites Pete Collins and his Jazz Band play at Pemaquid Beach. The Bristol Parks and Recreation Commission hold their annual chicken barbecue at the park at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10. Entry to the park is free; the chicken barbecue costs $18 per person.

Friday night sees two contrasting musical offerings. At the Willing Workers Hall in New Harbor, the Newell Family Band host a Contra Dance from 6.30 to 8.30. Experience is not needed – beginners get an introductory lesson at 6.30. Meanwhile at The Contented Sole in Colonial Pemaquid State Park, Don Roak and Friends play from 7 to 9 – make reservations early if you plan to eat!

Saturday sees the traditional variety of events for children and adults at the two parks, with musical accompaniment by the Dyer Neck Gang on Saturday afternoon following Schooner Fare. Dyer Neck Gang are sponsored by Newcastle Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep. In the evening, the action moves to Pemaquid Beach Park where people gathering for the fireworks at 9 p.m. will hear the town’s favorite rock band, Bristol Rocks, playing from 7 p.m. (and also after the fireworks). Families may bring a picnic or buy from one of the food vendors at the park.

Sunday morning sees the annual Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races in Pemaquid Harbor beginning at 10 a.m. Pete Collins and his Jazz Band will play at the Fort House once the noise of the races dies down – starting around 1 p.m.

Parking is restricted at Colonial Pemaquid State Park but a free parking shuttle is available from the Bristol Consolidated School. One hundred fifty parking places are available at Pemaquid Beach Park but expect these to fill up quickly. A one-way traffic system will be in force, with Snowball Hill Road leading to the parks and Huddle Road for traffic leaving.