A series of intimate musical performances dotted the Lloyd Center for the Environment’s miles of trails Sunday, Oct. 8. Walking along the trails, it was common to hear the sounds of music much before seeing any musicians. 

“Walking through the woods and then hearing the music, and it gets louder and louder and louder as you get to it is a wonderful experience,” said Stephen Witzig, a Lloyd Center board member and UMass Dartmouth professor. “The sound is like wafting up the hill as you’re walking down and it’s just fabulous.”

The Lloyd Center hosted its third annual “Music in the Woods” event Sunday, after a one-day postponement because of Saturday’s rain. 

The event is free for members, and meant as a way to celebrate the trails and scenery at the Lloyd Center’s property in South Dartmouth, said Executive Director of the Lloyd Center Rachel Stronach. 

“This is one of the days we can say thank you,” Stronach said. 

Non-members could purchase a ticket to the event, which came with a half-year membership to the Lloyd Center. 

Sunday’s festivities included five “stages” for musical performances, each containing a separate group. Two of the stages featured members of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, performing in duets. The porch of the nearly-completed welcome center hosted various local acts, and directly behind the welcome center, the Spindle Rock River Rats played a mix of bluegrass, folk and rock music. Finally, out at the pavilion, the Gropina Recorder Quintet performed in one of the most scenic locations near the Slocum River Estuary. 

“This is one of my favorite events that we do here,” Witzig said. “It gives people a chance or excuse to come to the Lloyd Center … it gets them here to see what we’re doing and what the Lloyd Center is all about.” 

Anne Welch and Andrew Jones came for the first time this year, with a family member who is a Lloyd Center member.

“I think anything kind of ad hoc is fun, sometimes when things are organized, it gets a little serious,” Welch said. 

“Outdoor venues are a great way to make people feel much more relaxed,” Jones said. 

Justin Ouellet, who plays viola for the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, said he had a great time playing for the rotating crowd. In the first session Sunday, his duet played more classical pieces, but veered into bluegrass for the second show. 

“I grew up in the woods and this is like the perfect example of all the things I love, so when they called me and asked me if I wanted to do it, I was like ‘absolutely,’” Oullet said. “For the New Bedford Symphony to be involved in this is really great, I think it’s nice to see some local connections and collaborations.”

Sally Johnston, who helped organize the event as part of the Music in the Woods committee, said she appreciates the “informality” of the performances, which allows for the crowd to ask questions and for the show to become a little interactive. 

Helping to feed and caffeinate the crowds were the Oxcart food truck and Cup of Jo Jo’s coffee truck. 

In addition to the five musical groups, a performance was given by Koko, the resident Screech Owl, who is part of an educational presentation.