LANCASTER —Lanterns and candles dotted the muddy hillside at Ohio University Lancaster Campus as Kathy Mattea took to Wendell Stage in the twilight Saturday for the final night of The 2004 Lancaster Festival.

Mattea, who first appeared at The Festival in 1996, performed underneath a canopy of swirling multicolored lights, singing such hits as "Walking Away a Winner," "Ready for the Storm," "From a Distance" and "Mary Did You Know." The two-time Grammy winner and three-time Country Music Association award winner has released 14 albums, which have earned her 20 Top-10 songs and sold more than 7 million copies.

Crowds huddled on lawn chairs and tarps, taking care not to touch the ground, which was soggy from early morning rain. Despite the muggy heat, spirits were high and applause was boisterous.

Before Mattea's performance, the Lancaster Festival Orchestra took the stage, clad in black and white, to play An Olympic Salute, beginning with "Olympic Theme." Maestro Gary Sheldon, who has conducted the Festival Orchestra for 17 of its 20 years, celebrated his 100th performance with the orchestra Saturday night. "Believe me, the pleasure's been all mine." Sheldon said, before conducting the orchestra in "Hungarian Dance No. 5," "Dance of the Comedians" and "Chariots of Fire."

Mattea joined the orchestra briefly for "Quarter Moon," a song about homelessness, before the orchestra finished their set with "Saturday Night Waltz" and "Hoedown."

"I thought it was very nice to have (Mattea) play with the orchestra," said Cathy McCullough of Lancaster. "I think it shows a little class to come out and play with the orchestra."

McCullough enjoyed the evening and The Festival overall. "It's a nice family atmosphere," she said. "It's a place you can bring your kids and enjoy yourself."

The night was particularly special for Kirn Casteel from Pickerington, who had her first date with her now-husband last year around this time, making Saturday night "like an anniversary," she said. The two married soon after.

Casteel didn't get to see Mattea in her first appearance at The Festival, but enjoys her music nonetheless. "I like all kinds of music and I think that, after hearing her, that's why I like country music," she said.

Even little ones found something to enjoy. "I like the concert," said Oliver Rotkis, 3, of Lakewood. "I like the fireworks."

The fireworks exploded overhead as the orchestra played a finale, ushering out The 2004 Lancaster Festival with "Stars and Stripes Forever."

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