KAUNEONGA LAKE — A sudden burst of heavy rain may have forced a last-minute change in venue, but it couldn’t dampen the spirit of opening night for the Bethel Lakeside Music Summer Concert Series.

The first concert of the season was held at the Kauneonga Lake Firefighters Pavilion, where neighbors, visitors, and first responders gathered for an evening of music and community. The four-piece American roots band Jaketown Road provided the entertainment, playing a crowd-pleasing mix of blues, Southern rock, and classic rock. Now in its tenth year, the free Thursday night series runs weekly through September 4 and remains a beloved summer tradition in Bethel.

The evening began with remarks from event organizer Moreen Lerner-Landfish, who welcomed the crowd and introduced several special guests, including Marshall L. Shnider, founding director of the Catskill Public Theater. She also announced a new partnership between the theater and Bethel Lakeside Music, with plans for several live performances this summer at the Fireman’s Field in Kauneonga Lake.

Sue Collins led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a performance of the National Anthem by Albee Bockman, whose clear and powerful voice drew warm applause from the packed pavilion.

Lerner-Landfish then returned to the microphone to offer a heartfelt tribute to Sullivan County’s first responders. “We’re here tonight not only for the first night of Bethel Lakeside Music,” she said, “but as a tribute to our first responders… There’s nobody like you.”

Among those honored was Lee B. Karasik, an emergency medical technician with the Jeffersonville First Aid Corps. A Bethel resident, Karasik said he’s attended the concert series before but made a point to come out for opening night.

“I came specifically tonight because [they were] paying tribute to first responders,” he said. “So I figured I would stop by and say hello to everybody.”

With guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and mandolin, Jaketown Road delivered a set of familiar songs from the ’60s, ’70s, and beyond — all performed in a relaxed, inviting style that matched the atmosphere of the series, even in the pavilion.

As 8 p.m. came to pass, Lerner-Landfish stepped up to ask the band to wrap it up — which, for some reason, inspired an impromptu rendition of Surfin’ U.S.A. by The Beach Boys that got folks up and dancing. The band closed out the show with a crowd-pleasing version of The Letter by The Box Tops.

A pair of lucky attendees went home with more than just good memories: Lenny Schwartz won two tickets to any Bethel Woods concert, while Carlos Verger received a necklace donated by Lori Rae Silvers of Lori Rae Jewelry.

Bethel Lakeside Music continues every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. through September 4. Updates and the full concert schedule can be found on the Bethel Lakeside Music Facebook page.