Video: Mark Rust Sings of Soldiers and Sunlight

Folk artist Mark Rust preformed a free concert on Sunday, June 27 as part of the Township's Fourth of July celebration.

Rust played two sets of multi-instrumental, family-friendly folk music in the early afternoon. His first set was titled "The Environmental Show," and featured music with a focus on nature and conservation. Rust played renditions of songs by Joni Mitchell and Don McLean, as well as an originals] titled "Jump Into the Leaves."

His second set, "Songs of the Soldier," featured songs that were favorites of service men and women during World War 1, World War 2, the Vietnam War and the Korean War. Rust took a moment before the second show to praise the nation's armies.

"This goes out for all the young men and women putting themselves in harm's way for the freedom we enjoy," he said.

Rust utilized acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle and piano over the course of his two shows. Rust, who lives in Woodstock, NY with his wife and two daughters, was in good spirits despite the windy afternoon, which made it difficult to keep his songbooks open.

"What a beautiful spot this is," he said, looking out over Montville. "I can see why you people live here."