Concert-goers dance to the sound of The Brownsmead Flats during the Waikiki Beach Concert Series on Saturday, July 22, at Cape Disappointment State Park.

ILWACO — A crush of concert goers descended on Cape Disappointment last weekend, roughly double the anticipated turnout for the popular Waikiki Beach Concert Series on a lovely summer evening.

The Brownsmead Flats, a local acoustic band that embrace the sound of “crabgrass,” a blend of bluegrass with maritime themes, was the main draw as hundreds packed the outdoor amphitheater near Waikiki Beach on Saturday, July 22.

By 7 p.m., the official start time of the show, park staff had counted more than 500 attendees, many more than usual, with nearby parking lots overflowing as more cars continued to fill the park for the free Saturday evening show. The Cape Disappointment boat launch, located directly across from the park entrance, served as a makeshift parking lot as cars quickly filled the allotted spaces.

The five-piece band, consisting of members Dan Sutherland, John Fenton, Ned Heavenrich, Ray Raihala and Larry Moore, sang harmonious melodies incorporating local maritime themes, including referencing the Peter Iredale shipwreck and fishing on Willapa Bay. Near the end of the show, the band welcomed the audience to join in a group dance routine, which dozens of attendees of all ages eagerly followed.

The Waikiki Beach Concert Series will continue Saturday, Aug. 12, with a 7 p.m. performance by the Old Growth Band. The final concert of the series will be held Aug. 26, featuring Na Lei Eha.