On Saturday, June 15 grab your blanket and picnic basket, bring family members, neighbors and friends, your instruments, voices, talents, and dancing shoes - or just your enthusiasm and listening ear - to the Inn Along the Way at the Chapman Farm, 741 Main Street in Damariscotta.  This Spring Music Celebration featuring the Rusty Hinges,  Damariscotta region's open mic, community singing circle, inn tours, hay field walks, Round Top ice cream and homemade goodies is a, by donation, fundraiser for the Inn Along the Way. The Inn is a collaborative community for all, supporting caregivers and older adults.

In traditional spring on the Maine coast style, community members attending the Inn’s musical lawn and barn party and who want to bring their own creative picnic will be surrounded with an eclectic mix of music, song, community fun and laughter. Open mic registration begins at 1 p.m., festivities begin at 1:30 with open mic performances and will draw to a close at 5 p.m., following an hour-long Community Singing Circle led by Dan Townsend from Whitefield.

Inn Along the Way is a nonprofit organization in the process of creating a collaborative community offering older adults, and those seeking temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, an environment of support, purpose, and sustainability in a multi-generational and mutually interdependent setting. The organization is currently raising funds to complete its first phase, which will transform the original farmhouse into a small inn with a Café and community rooms, offering overnight accommodations to the general public, as well as those seeking respite.

The Rusty Hinges, whose performance will begin at 3 p.m., are a local Midcoast band consisting of John Couch, John Monterisi, Nancy Jones Bridges, Brian Dunn, Charles Chiarchiaro and Laura Buxbaum. They play all kinds of folk songs, country, bluegrass,  golden oldies, sea shanties, fiddle and contemporary tunes, as well as original songs with a variety of instruments and vocal harmonies. Guitars, mandolin, banjo, accordion, fiddle, cello, and penny-whistles are included in the mix.

The Rusty Hinges can be heard every Tuesday night at the Narrows Tavern in Waldoboro and at many other venues and festivals throughout the area.  

Following the Rusty Hinges performance everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to raise their own voices during a fun filled Community-Sing-Along which, under Dan's expert direction, will begin at 4 p.m.

Questions about open mic participation or the summer music celebration fundraiser schedule please contact Sylvia Tavares at (207) 766-8469 or sylviatarvares502@gmail.com. 

For more information about the Inn Along the Way including volunteer opportunities go to www.innalongtheway.org.

 This rain or shine, by donation fundraiser is an inter-generational Spring Music Celebration that you won’t want to miss! Remember to bring your Rise Up Singing Songbook!  Community members, armature and professional perfumers, storytellers, poets, magicians, and comedians across the generations are welcome to share their talents with friends of The Inn Along the Way.