CASCADE, Md. – The Jim and Fay Powers Music Series opened its 2026 season Sunday at Pen Mar Park, drawing hundreds of visitors for an afternoon of music, dancing and community celebration.
Guests filled the park at 14600 Pen Mar-High Rock Road with picnic blankets and lawn chairs as Spectrum, a longtime crowd favorite now in its 51st year, kicked off the series. The band played from 2 to 5 p.m., setting the tone for a summer of weekly performances.
Attendees of all ages, from toddlers to centenarians, took to the dance floor. Among them was Jack Meyers, who will turn 103 next month. Meyers, a World War II veteran who fought at Normandy on D-Day as an Army tank driver, danced throughout the afternoon. Organizers said he attends the Pen Mar concerts regularly and still drives himself to the park. He is scheduled to travel to France this week for what will be his fifth or sixth visit to commemorate the anniversary of the Normandy invasion.
Also celebrating was Evie Cook, who marked her 93rd birthday at the park. She joined fellow attendees on the dance floor, including participating in line dancing.
Sunday’s event unfolded under clear skies with temperatures in the 70s, providing ideal conditions for the season opener.
The music series will continue each Sunday through Sept. 27, featuring a rotating lineup of regional bands. Upcoming performers include Andy Angel on June 7, CG & Friends on June 14 and The Unforgettable Big Band on June 28. Concerts run from 2 to 5 p.m. and are free to the public.
Pen Mar Park’s summer series remains a longstanding tradition, bringing together generations of music lovers for weekly entertainment in a scenic outdoor setting.
