HARMONY — The inaugural Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival on Saturday started off wet, but got better as the day went on.

Dennis McCurdy, a festival organizer, had been planning the festival, which was a fundraiser for the borough's parks and trails, for nine months.

He had been considering organizing a festival when he heard that borough council President Jack Shanks was trying to do the same thing. So they decided to team up.

McCurdy said the festival was a joint effort of the Harmony Historical Society, the Harmony Business Association, Grace Church, the Harmony Volunteer Fire Company and borough council.

“Everybody came together,” McCurdy said.

It featured five bands playing two sets. The first set was outdoors at the corner of Main and Mercer streets, while the second set took place in the 1805 Harmony Museum barn.

The event got started an hour late due to rain.

“You can't control the weather. When you put on an outdoor festival, you run the risk,” McCurdy said.

Despite the rain, McCurdy said the event was looking to be successful. He expected 300 to 500 people to attend.

“They're putting on a great show,” McCurdy said. “We already have bands lined up for a second year.”

Shanks said the second annual festival is planned for the first Saturday after Labor Day in 2013. He also said there is a chance the festival could be two days or that a separate festival could be held in the spring.

Tom Boyd, banjo and guitar player for the headlining act Dry Branch Fire Squad, said the festival would be one of the smallest of the 50 to 60 shows it plays this year.

But he said, “This could become a very big deal because it's such a great setting.”

Boyd, who has been playing this type of music for nearly 50 years, said he keeps playing because he always can improve.

“It's always a challenge,” Boyd said.

Jeff Scheller of Mars performed as the upright bass player for the band Midnight Drive. He said the borough is a “perfect town” for a bluegrass festival.

“I think it has immediate potential,” Scheller said.

He has been playing music for 28 years, starting in country and rock bands. He eventually fell in love with bluegrass music.

“I just love the sound of the wood … and strings,” Scheller said.

He also enjoys the fellowship and sense of community in the bluegrass music scene, saying it is easy to begin playing with any musician whether he knows them or not.

Vanessa Franklin of Ellwood City said she mainly came to see Dry Branch Fire Squad.

“I haven't seen them in a lot of years,” Franklin said.

She said she is friends with some of the musicians who played.

A big reason she enjoys the music is the high quality of the players.

“They are great musicians, always,” Franklin said.

Sharon Anno of Lancaster Township did not have to travel far to hear the music she likes. She came at the beginning and endured the rain delay, but it was worth the wait.

“I'm enjoying it a lot,” Anno said.

Judy Green of Houston, Pa., was another Dry Branch Fire Squad fan.

“Any time they come around, we go see them,” Green said.

She said she enjoys the combination of influences in the music, including fiddle music, old country music and Irish music.

“It's just good music,” Green said.