The Mighty Manatees Come Out to Play in Lower Frederick

The Mighty Manatees brought their country-flavored music to the annual concert in Lower Frederick's Thursday evening.

Admission was free, but refreshments were on sale, with proceeds benefiting the .

The township's Neighborhood Watch and event sponsor TD Bank set up tables on the park's grounds and offered balloons, buttons and other promotional items to attendees.

Many residents relaxed in lawn chairs and on blankets as they listened to the music, while some children and their parents played on the park's sports field and jungle gyms. Some attendees were so moved by the music that they got up and danced (see video).

After an introduction by Supervisors Chairman Ernie Schmitt, the band began its 90-minute concert, which was punctuated by the usual between-songs commentary and conversation.

"Ted the Fiddler," a Schwenksville native, shared stories about growing in the area, including how his father told him to "stay away from those hippies at the Folk Fest." Ted sneaked out to the festival anyway, and there he saw "Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez for the first time."