Crowded and energetic unofficial festival kickoff at thr regular Press Room Friday session. Some regular festival goers from western Massachusetts, Gloucester, mid coast Maine...one couple sailed into Portsmouth for the festival. A couple new to the festival are from Portland, Oregon. Albany, New York was well-represented.

Andy Kenna and his wife got there early to socialize with Eamon Coyne -- old friends from Liverpool. They were reunited at the Press Room bar when Andy was first at the festival in 2009.

John Roberts and Ken Schatz also arrived during the session.

Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves...and the festival hasn't even really started yet!

Linn