The U.S. Navy Band performs at the Butler County Music and Arts Festival on July 19, 1970, drawing a record crowd for the event that year. Eagle file photo

The U.S. Navy Band drew the largest crowd at the seventh annual Butler County Music and Arts Festival on July 19, 1970, when more than 15,000 people traveled to Armco Park in Slippery Rock.

More than 19,000 people attended the festival during the weekend, with many gathering to listen and dance to live music of many styles and sample a variety of foods.

The festival also saw the first use of the newly constructed Armco Park stage, which was bright pink and set among the trees in the grove. Audiences sat on park benches or lawn chairs and saw musicians go from rock to symphony to barbershop.

Children watch a puppet show at the Butler County Music and Arts Festival on July 19, 1970. Eagle file photo