Erik Skeldon, left, and his son, Tye, 6, of Cumberland, enjoy a ride on ‘The Scrambler’ at Cumberlandfest in Diamond Hill State Park Saturday. Call Photo/Ernest A. Brown

By DANI SAFFORD

CUMBERLAND — The ominous black rainclouds that passed intermittently over Diamond Hill Park on Saturday didn’t pose a threat to the numerous festival goers who wouldn’t let the chance of a few rain showers put a damper on their visit to this year’s CumberlandFest event, which began on Friday evening.

Held annually in August to offer entertainment and community togetherness, the long-running festival which has been a Cumberland tradition for nearly two decades, officially began on Friday night with a ‘Kids’ Night aka Rock the Park’ concert event featuring live entertainment from musical acts Starting Over Tuesday, Maystyle, Knuf Said, Abominables, Roz-Raskin and the Rice Cakes, World at Arms, Fairhaven, the Brandon Lemois Band and the Down and Outs.
“The live music is an awesome thing that CumberlandFest does every year,” said Tom Silva of Cumberland. “We don’t always know [the bands] that well but it’s a lot of fun to sit and listen.”
Maintaining the reputation of being a family-oriented event, games and amusement rides and an appearance by Dano the Clown aimed to entertain the younger crowds while an antique car show was scheduled for Sunday morning for any hot rod owners or enthusiasts.

Kicking off Saturday’s festivities was the Sal Corio Memorial 5k Road Race which began at 9 a.m., followed by the dog show from noon until 5 p.m.
“It’s definitely for everyone,” said Cumberland resident Mike Hanley of the festival. “You’ve got the car shows, the rides for kids, the music. You can’t get bored here.”
During a time where both the economy and the environment are suffering, CumberlandFest has chosen this year to embrace the movement that has become a widespread frenzy amongst retailers, companies, corporations, institutions and others: going green. To promote and reinforce the positive eco-friendly trend, organizers set up designated plastic receptacles throughout the park to reinforce the recycling of aluminum cans, plastic bottles and cardboard.
“It’s definitely great,” Leslie Rochefort of Lincoln said of this year’s green theme. “I think that if everyone keeps up with it, it’ll probably become a routine for everyone.”
Equally as important as CumberlandFest’s new environmentally aware attitude was this year’s headlining musical act, Narragansett-based musical group, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band who performed on Saturday evening at 8 p.m.
If known for nothing else, most Cumberland residents are familiar with CumberlandFest’s two-night firework spectacular, the first of which took place on Saturday night at 10 p.m.  The larger, aerial fireworks display which is synchronized to music will be held on Sunday night at 10 p.m.
“It’s almost like a big tradition to come to CumberlandFest just to see the fireworks,” said Cumberland resident and mother of two, Victoria Card.
All the proceeds from CumberlandFest go to support the Cumberland Youth Athletic Council, which consists of the Cumberland Youth Soccer Association, the Cumberland Youth Baseball/Softball League, the Cumberland/Lincoln Boys & Girls Club, the Cumberland Colts Football and Cheerleaders, and the Cumberland Hockey Association.
CumberlandFest continues today, with CumberlandFest’s famous aerial fireworks display at 10 p.m. The cost of admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior and children under 12 are free.
The fun continues Monday with discounted pay-one-price admission for midway rides. Parking is available at St. John Vianney Church and free shuttle buses are offered by Conway Tours.