Alternative rock band Hello Newman played Scarborough Summerfest Friday night, entertaining festival attendees with ‘90s and 2000s alternative rock, ska, rap and swing hits. (Evelyn Waugh photo)

SCARBOROUGH — The annual Summerfest drew hundreds to the Clifford Kippy Mitchell Field at Scarborough High School.

Vendors, a 5K, community info booths, an alternative rock band, Bounce Zone, roaming train, troop of pirates, dunk tank, sports and a fireworks finale made the festival a picturesque summer event.

Entering the fest, attendees were met with the stage on which Hello Newman, an alternative rock band, played ‘90s and 2000s alternative rock, ska, rap and swing hits while a crowd hula hooped and danced in the field.

Nearby and to their left, the Northeast Buccaneers, a troop of pirates, entertained a flock of kids with balloon swords, a macaw, and a bearded dragon.

“This is ‘arrr’ first year working this event,” Captain Jay Tucci said. “The team has been great to work with.”

Beyond them were rows and rows of community information booths: Project G.R.A.C.E., Scarborough Heat, Scarborough Historical Society, Town and Country Federal Credit Union, and many more made a grid of tents on the field.

John Lancaster, volunteer for Cornerstone Baptist Church at 415 Route 1, worked the church’s booth at the event, where he gave out free hot dogs, hamburgers, and water.

Scott Read from Boy Scouts of America stood in front of his booth engaging festival goers. He said he was representing mostly Pack 47, a Cub Scout troop.

“I’m here to remind people to sign up for Cub Scouts on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m.,” he said.

The Northeast Buccaneers, including Capt. Jay Tucci and Mara Antonucci, amused kids with balloon animals, as well as a macaw and a bearded dragon. (Evelyn Waugh photo)

The Girl Scouts had a table at the event and had an activity setup wherein kids could create bracelets with their names written in binary code, with different colors representing 0s and 1s. They attend the festival each year.

President and vice president, respectively, of Friends of Scarborough Marsh, Stephanie Smith and Steve Pinette, advertised a free raffle wherein participants could win an $100 gift card to the Maine Audubon.

Pinette also had a display in which he showed fest-goers the salinity of various water sources. He explained how the changing salinity of Scarborough Marsh from pollution allows invasive species such as phragmites to thrive.

Next to Smith and Pinette, Anytime Fitness was represented by owner Nicole Coppola and Club Manager Tyler Penney. The pair promoted an anniversary offer available exclusively at Summerfest.

“We’re also spreading the word about our open house on Saturday, Aug. 31,” Coppola said. “We’re hoping to draw a large crowd.”

The open house is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features relays, challenges, and a free membership raffle at the 700 Gallery Blvd. Anytime Fitness Location.

The Scarborough Democratic Municipal Committee, or Scarborough Dems, also attended.

“We’re here gathering information from Scarborough citizens about what issues matter to them, and what the committee should be paying attention to,” committee chair Rachel Henderickson said.

Alongside the committee, State Reps. Chris Caiazzo and Shawn Babine walked around the festival.

“I’m here interacting with my fellow constituents,” Caiazzo said.

Scarborough Police hung out at the event with their canine, Tucker, who attracted the affection of many attendees.

At the Kids’ Bounce Zone, children received a bracelet allowing them to bounce the whole evening for $10. The zone included a 35-foot obstacle course and an ‘xtreme bop and bounce dance dome.’ Altogether, the Zone contained seven bounce items, all provided by Sharper Events, a Kennebunk-based party rental supplier.

Two dollars from each bounce zone bracelet went to the Community Services Scholarship Fund, that helps local families enroll in recreation programs throughout the year, according to the Scarborough Community Services’ website.

The food at the festival was classic carnival offerings: hot dogs and burgers, barbecue sandwiches and chicken tenders, fried food, steak, Texas Roadhouse pulled pork rolls and sliders (proceeds going to Project G.R.A.C.E), cheese steaks, funnel cake, fried dough, fried Oreos, fried peanut butter cups and fried candy bars.

Scarborough’s biggest event of the year went out with a bang with a firework display.

— Evelyn Waugh can be reached at ewaugh@mainelymediallc.com or 780-9026.