There was sand. There was surf. There were Parrotheads.

The Marion Police Brotherhood’s annual summer concert, held at Silvershell Beach, featured three bands including Changes in Latitudes, a Jimmy Buffett Tribute. The skies were dark and cloudy but the sun was shining from on stage. Kids ran around the lawn. Beach balls flew through the air. Luckily, the rain held off.

Kris Smith, president of the Marion Police Brotherhood, was excited for the turnout of the event, which has been going on for around 20 years. Smith said the concert is the result of numerous fundraisers held by the group. All money made from such fundraisers goes back into the community.

“The best part about this is giving back,” he said. “We all feel fortunate to work for the town of Marion, and this is a way to get the community down and meet us. From the turnout we have, it’s definitely a success.”

In addition to Changes in Latitudes, singer and songwriter Wayne Potash and Groovy Afternoon, a 60s and 70s tribute band, performed. Christine Mascott, vocalist for Groovy Afternoon, thought the crowd was great.

“[The music] appeals to the generation that birthed the music, “she said, “but it also appeals to their kids and grandchildren. We’ve found that from the littlest kids to the retirees, everybody’s familiar with the songs and loves them.”

After Groovy Afternoon, the stage came alive with plug-in tiki torches, inflated palm trees and Hawaiian shirts. It’s all part of the experience front man Steve Kareta wanted when he set out to do the band full time.

“I was a supervisor for US Air for 13 years,” he said. “After 9/11 they started cutting our hours, so I started the band to make extra money in the summer. The band got busier, the airlines, got worse, and that’s it!”

A Parrothead for a long time, Kareta has since taken the band from Maine to the Caribbean, playing for Disney cruises, at benefit concerts, and private events. Their goal is to be theatrical and over the top.

Marion resident Sue Shannon and her family attended the concert and enjoyed the show.

“This is sort of our annual, family fun concert night,” she said. “We love concerts, and there’s not that many around. Plus you can take the kids and let them run around. It’s a combination of a fun, family environment with good music.”