The Free Range Robots kicked things off Saturday at the Mount Helena Music Festival, where hot food, hot music and hot weather played a common theme.

The best job Saturday went to Jen Hubber, who staffed the front gate under a small canopy selling tickets to the event.

“Getting to meet the people, hanging out outside and listening to the music — it’s great,” she said. “You can’t beat it.”

A moderate crowd gathered in the park, blissful in the summer sun. The night before as many as 1,000 fans passed through the gate, dancing to the evening’s musical lineup.

“Tony Furtado was awesome last night,” said Alex Gersovitz. “The place was packed.”

Shady spots in the park were far and few between Saturday as the sun blazed down, pushing temperatures past 95 degrees. But the heat didn’t hinder turnout.

“It’s picking up right now,” Hubber said. “People are out in full force. They’re coming early to get the shady spots.”

If the best job went to Hubber, the worst job Saturday went to Lynn Jeffrey, who pulled pork on the big BBQ roaster for the Montana BBQ Co.

While the pork was piping hot and the black pit rippled in the heat, the profits had Jeffrey smiling. It was her company’s first trip to the Mount Helena Musical Festival, and she wasn’t disappointed.

“We’re having a great time and the business has been fantastic,” she said. “Where else can you get free babysitting and free entertainment all in one place?”

Lingering just outside the main gate was Charlie Mott, who laid down his own festival rules.

“Food first, music later,” he said. “So far I’ve had one of those BBQ wraps and later, I’m going to hit the Chinese place.”

Mott showed off the festival T-shirt he purchased two years ago. It was a light-blue job sporting the likes of Cosmic Charlie. Like the food, the variety of music keeps him coming back each year.

“The variety of music is good — they’ve done a good job with that,” Mott said. “Some of the bands I’ve even heard of before — like Candye Kane — I’ve heard of her.”

Kane was set to headline Saturday’s performance. Mott promised to return to see the adult film-star turned singer when things cooled off.

Melissa Faber had a good time on Friday night. She praised Tony Furtado’s performance and was looking forward to The Wilders and the Kinsey Report, both scheduled to play later Saturday night.

“This is great — it gets people down here,” Faber said. “I enjoy the music and being able to hang out with all my friends. It’s a great outdoors event.”

Down the street, Jen Berry sauntered home in her summer dress, thinking about the festival’s art and whether she’d come back to spend some money.

“I looked at the art and the little booths,” she said. “I thought I might go back and look at the little rings.”

The festival continues today with a 1 p.m. performance by the Big Mumbo Blues Band. To find out more about the event and this year’s acts, log on to www.downtownhelena.com.