The music rose to the rafters Saturday night during a barn dance held Saturday night by Concerts on the Cove.

New hay bales outlined the edge of the dance floor in the 100-year old Smith Barn on Ebey’s Prairie near Coupeville. Hay bales were pulled up for impromptu seating or folks brought their own chairs. Refreshments were served, with proceeds from the event benefitting Performing Arts Scholarships.

Lights were strung along rafters, beams and posts, to light the barn and create a down-home atmosphere for Whidbey Islanders swaying to the music.

Oak Harbor resident Mark Easterling, was one of many spectators in the crowd.

“I thought the band did a great job, I had a lot of fun seeing all the different people!” Easterling said.

To add to the mood, the Seattle band Dillingers Clambake entertained barn-dancers with a mix of Big Band, Swing music and popular hits from the 1940s to today’s hit tunes. Even children and those who did not know how to swing dance were moved to their feet by the music, dancing the night away.

Mary-Margaret Faulkner was caught up in the excitement of the evening and was found taking a rest on a hay bale with her husband.

“We love the barn dance! We really appreciate the Smith family for donating the barn for the dance so we can all particpate, they all do a great job!” Faulkner said.