It was 1955 and the movie “Carousel” was in the midst of filming. Lots of local residents were working as extras and the music and story by Rogers and Hammerstein were unfolding against the beautiful backdrop of Boothbay Harbor.

The Lincoln Festival Chorus will take concert-goers back to that time on Friday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church.

Selections will begin with the Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) Requiem in D Minor, and all have been determined by the chorus’ music director Linda Blanchard.

The two performances will be the only ones and culminate 10 weeks of rehearsals. Music by Jerome Kern and Rogers and Hammerstein will be performed in the second half of the concert.

This year marks the festival's 38th season.

“For several years, the concert program has been classical,” said Penny Kerns, who has served as chair for six years. “But this year, the second half of the concert is ‘memory lane,’ ending up with the Carousel medley.”

The concert will feature soloist John David Adams. Sean Fleming is the chorus’ accompanist and music arranger.

The 42 members of the Festival chorus are a mix of year-round and summer residents who join their voices to raise funds through the nonprofit and go back into the community in music scholarships for high school students and in other programs.

“The chorus is so well-balanced and we have great singers,” Kerns said.

The chorus began as the idea of two summer residents, Malama Robbins and Marian Dash. Response to the summer concerts was so positive, the festival grew up around it and for years offered a weeklong arts event.

Festival administrator Rosemary Bourette has seen its programs expand. “We’ve evolved. The area now has so many other musical events that we offer other programs, including Arts and Yachts (Aug. 10-12) and a poetry workshop (Sept. 8.)” 

The chorus is hoping extras from the filming of "Carousel” will attend one of the performances. A reception will follow Sunday’s performance.

Tickets are available at the door and in advance at Sherman's in Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta. They can also be reserved by calling 633-3913 or bought online.

Admission is $20 and full-time students and those on active duty in the military will be admitted free. For more information, call 633-3913 or contact lincolnartsfestivalbbh@gmail.com, including for more information on the festival’s events.