Tips for Attending a Free Summer Concert at L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine

Maine retailer L.L. Bean has a well-earned reputation for exceeding expectations, and the free L.L. Bean Summer Concert Series at the company's flagship store in Freeport, Maine, is no exception. Not only does L.L. Bean attract top talent for this series of evening concerts in Discovery Park, it puts on a good show when it comes to everything from accommodating large crowds to moving traffic out of parking lots at the end of the concert.

I was particularly impressed to see a sign language interpreter for the hearing impaired at the two concerts my family and I attended in 2008.

Here are my tips for attending a concert, along with the L.L. Bean Summer Concert schedule for 2015.

L.L. Bean Summer Concert Tips

Want to make the most of your L.L. Bean Summer Concert Series experience? Here are 10 tips for attending a concert based on our visit to Freeport over the 4th of July holiday weekend in 2008, when we saw memorable shows by Toby Lightman and Daryl Hall.

1. Discovery Park, where the L.L. Bean Summer Concert Series is held, is located adjacent to the L.L. Bean flagship store at 95 Main Street in Freeport, Maine.

2. If you're in Freeport early on the day of a concert—or even the night before—you can stake out your spot in front of the stage ahead of time. Don't worry: It's Maine. Nobody will bother your blanket or chairs. Just to be safe, we took old fold-up chairs with us to L.L. Bean, but we were really glad that Kevin Gove, who has done PR work for Maine attractions and lodging properties, clued us in to the fact that many folks claim their space hours before the concert is scheduled to begin.

3. Pack a cooler or picnic basket with refreshments. Although there are likely to be vendors on site, and there is a café inside the main L.L. Bean store that sells beverages and treats, it can be a bit tricky to navigate through the crowd to get outside the lawn area in front of the stage once the show begins.

4. Should you require restroom facilities during the concert, you'll find substantially shorter lines at the ladies' and men's rooms inside the neighboring L.L. Bean Home Store than inside the main flagship store.

In both stores, restrooms are located on the second floor.

5. Bring a sweatshirt. It can be chilly in Maine after dark, even in the summertime. If you forget—the good news is that you can readily purchase a sweatshirt or fleece inside the L.L. Bean flagship store, as we did for my husband one night. He was actually happy to have an excuse to purchase an L.L. Bean logo-emblazoned souvenir.

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6. L.L. Bean's summer concerts are definitely family-friendly: My five-year-old had a blast dancing and clapping along when Daryl Hall played Private Eyes! Just bring a few activities along to keep kids amused before the concert if you plan to arrive early.

7. For concerts expected to draw large crowds, L.L. Bean erects bleachers and video screens to accommodate visitors, so arriving late doesn't mean you won't enjoy the show.

You may want to bring a seat cushion with you, however, to make your spot in the bleachers more comfortable.

8. We were so impressed by how quickly we were able to exit the parking lot following each concert. L.L. Bean staffers do an excellent job of moving cars out following the show.

9. Want to stay overnight at a hotel nearby? The Harraseeket Inn (check rates and reviews at TripAdvisor) and the Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown (book special rates via Expedia.com) are  both within walking distance of L.L. Bean's Discovery Park. We stayed a bit farther down Route 1 at the Comfort Suites Freeport (book direct), and while the room was large and the rate was great, the indoor pool was cold and the beds were uncomfortably firm.

10. L.L. Bean Summer Concert Series shows may be canceled in the event of inclement weather. For the latest schedule updates, call toll free, 877-755-2326.

> 2015 L.L. Bean Summer Concert Schedule

L.L. Bean Concerts 2015 Summer Schedule

Note: There will be fireworks on the 4th of July.

Saturday, July 4, 7:30 p.m.
The Mavericks

Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Kidsfest featuring music and activities for kids of all ages.

Saturday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
Dawes

Saturday, August 1, 7:30 p.m.
Rosanne Cash: The River & The Thread in Concert

Saturday, August 8, 7:30 p.m.
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox

Saturday, August 15, 7:30 p.m.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Saturday, August 29, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Street Dive

Saturday, September 5, 7:30 p.m.
Andy Grammer

More 2015 Summer Events in L.L. Bean's Discovery Park including a weekly Farmers' Market and Dog Days