SANDPOINT — Some lounged on a blanket. Others sat comfortably on chairs.

And still others, like Ethan Damskov, danced to the music as OK2Botay put their spin on everything from "Day Tripper" by the Beatles to more classical offerings during Picnic Day at the Pine Street Woods in late June.

The event, which was a partnership between the East Bonner County Library District and the Kaniksu Land Trust, attracted more than 100 people to the Pine Street Woods meadow, a mix of family members, music aficionados and area residents.

The music filling the meadow prompted any number of smiles as families leaned back to listen to the music, enjoy a picnic lunch on the Friday afternoon.

The band's visit to Sandpoint was one of serendipity, said Joyce Jowdy, the East Bonner County Library District's community engagement and adult programming coordinator. The parent of one of the steel band musicians reached out to see if the library district could help set up a performance.

OK2Botay — which translates to "OK to dance" — had previously visited the community, performing in the library's garden. They had so much fun that when it came time to set up this year's tour, the community was among the top requests for a stop.

The tour serves as both a fun excursion for the band and a chance for them to perform in public, library officials and OK2Botay parents said.

"They've worked so hard and to have a chance to get audience appreciation, it changes it," Jowdy said. "They're also learning to play at other professional venues so it give them an opportunity to showcase their music."

For the library, Jowdy said it gives EBCLD a chance to offer something new to the community.

"At the library, we're all about lifting people up, offering new opportunities, new ways to experience things," she added.

At first, Jowdy thought the band could perform somewhere in Sandpoint or in the library's garden. However, concerned about availability and about spacing, she reached out to Kaniksu to inquire if the Pine Street Woods was an option.

Directed by Ben Leggett, the young performers are selected through an annual audition process, primarily from students who have participated in classes offered by the Tri-Cities Steel Band Association. The band, comprised of sixth through twelfth grade students in the Tri-Cities, practices weekly from September to July, taking the month of August off.

Following OK2Botay's performance, students from the Suzuki String Academy took the field to perform and the EBCLD Bookmobile made an appearance.

Kaniksu Land Trust was happy to host the event, and Jowdy said she was excited to bring music to Woods. For the land trust, hosting the concert offered an opportunity to encourage community members to get outdoors and experience nature, whether it was to listen to music, take a hike through the woods — or both.

"It (was) an opportunity for an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy the great outdoors in nature and experience music in a different environment than they're used to," Jowdy said prior to the event. "It gives people a chance to relax. You know, things are so stressful these days and a lot of tensions in the world, and this is a time when we can just enjoy the beautiful place we live in and the talent of youth and others, and just revel in that and come together as a community, picnicking, you know, just those natural, basic things and a great way to spend a Friday afternoon."

    Members of OK2Botay perform at the Pine Street Woods on Friday, June 27.
  

    Members of OK2Botay perform at the Pine Street Woods on Friday, June 27.
  

    Ethan Damskov, pictured to the right, dances while community members and families listen to OK2Botay at the Pine Street Woods on Friday, June 27.