As Grammy nominee and Blues Hall of Fame legend John Primer leaned over the crowd, a group of audience members raised their arms in ecstasy, following the slow rhythm of the music and singing back to Primer.

Bill Walker, a long-time volunteer at the Oak Harbor Music Festival, said the energy was palpable throughout the three days of live music. Thousands of people were in attendance, drawn by entertainers, food and arts and crafts vendors and a lengthy list of locally and nationally recognized musical talents.

While there is no way to accurately estimate how big a crowd the free event attracted, he believes this was the most involved audience he had ever seen at the festival.

Most people in the crowd were middle-aged and elderly, which 79-year-old Primer said is his kind of audience as he makes music people his age can dance to.

Perhaps due to a combination of catchy tunes, favorable weather and a festive atmosphere, some audience members — young and old — had been dancing for hours that day, swaying cheek to cheek with a partner, jumping around with children or dancing solo with impressive fluidity.

Cody Beebe, lead singer in the progressive country and rock band Cody Beebe & the Crooks, was pleasantly surprised by the crowd that had gathered for them past 9 p.m.

After the pandemic, he said, many people have been going to bed a little earlier. But instead of a sleepy and yawning audience, the band performed in front of a smaller but receptive crowd during their first year as headliners for the opening evening.

While playing the bass, fellow band member Eric Miller would make faces at the audience members who would reciprocate.

The three-day event opened with Locarno, a Vancouver, B.C. based band that mixes Mexican folk, Colombian song and African rhythms. Despite the summer heat that reminded Violinist Kalissa Landa of Mexico, people got groovy and sang back Spanish words.

Walker described the event as “three days of love.” In a town that can get divided over matters like a sculpture, he said, music brings everyone together.

River Powers, who was in charge of the merchandise, said the Oak Harbor Music Festival attracts people from Oak Harbor and beyond, bringing together the community. Many of the people involved or visiting, she said, she hadn’t seen since the prior edition.

“There’s bonding that happens here,” she said.

Photo by Luisa Loi Cody Beebe from Cody Beebe & the Crooks performs a country and rock song for an excited crowd.

Photo by Luisa Loi A couple dances to the sound of Locarno on Friday.

Photo by Luisa Loi A couple happily dances to the sound of Locarno, a latin fusion band from Canada.

Photo by Luisa Loi Blues legend John Primer had audience members screaming for an encore.

Photo by Luisa Loi Two ladies passionately dance in front of the Island Thrift stage surrounded by an energetic crowd.

Photo by David Welton Brit Anders entertained children with colorful balloon creations.

Photo by David Welton The SeaNotes Big Band performed Sunday.

Photo by David Welton Colton Gehring and the band Kick-Brass performed Sunday at the Teen Talent Showcase.

Photo by David Welton Linda Severt shows the world’s largest underpants at Oak Harbor’s biggest musical event.

Photo by David Welton At left, 15-year-old Adele Wood stands next to 16-year-old Danika Kloewer at the Oak Harbor Music Festial’s artist lounge. The two played at the Teen Talent Showcase on Sunday.