SWAMPSCOTT — A weekend of Independence Day festivities closed on a musical note Sunday afternoon as community members gathered in Linscott Park for the Garden Music Gathering: a celebration inspired by a beloved community tradition.

Overlooking the ocean beneath sunny skies, dozens of residents spread blankets and unfolded lawn chairs throughout the park, where they painted rocks, swapped plants, contributed to a collaborative mural, enjoyed complementary refreshments, and listened to (and participated in) live music during the free afternoon gathering.

The event opened with a lively community drum circle led by local musician Philip Alexander, who distributed drums and percussion instruments before guiding about 20 participants through songs and games like “Build A Rhythm,” where experienced and novice drummers of all ages contributed to a full and lively performance.

After the spirited drum circle, participants settled in for some live music performances on the gazebo at Linscott Park. The Boomerangs performed familiar classics, including Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” and Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Alexander abandoned his drums for a guitar and played alongside Swampscott Assistant Town Clerk Mike Brison for another set of classics. Throughout both performances, musicians encouraged event-goers to sing along, or even join in with their drums.

Brison, who has participated in previous garden art events, said that while the format of the event has changed throughout the years, the appeal has stayed the same.

“I like the people, and I like the event,” Brison said. “I like community unity.”

While Sunday’s event marked a new chapter, its roots stretch back to prior years. The Garden Music Gathering grew out of the former Garden Art Walk: a ReachArts tradition that invited visitors into private gardens and studios throughout Swampscott, where local artists displayed their work and musicians performed at stops across town.

After the passing of ReachArts leaders Heidi Shear and Agatha Morrell and the closure of ReachArts, the event shifted gears. This year’s event was largely organized by Pat Gorham — though she shared the credit at every opportunity.

Gorham said Sunday’s gathering wasn’t intended to replace the Garden Art Walk, but rather preserve the sense of community it created in a format that was easier to organize.

“The best part about it was the friendships,” Gorham said. “So many wonderful, true connections happened through all of those interactive activities.”

Instead of asking people to travel between gardens, organizers brought everyone together while encouraging participation rather than simply observation. Along with music, guests of all ages could paint rocks, exchange plants, enjoy refreshments — donated by Dave Aldrich of Grab the Bagel — or add their own touches to a large ocean-themed mural.

Created by local artist Claire Donnelly, the mural invited visitors to paint sea creatures, boats, homes, and other images representing the Swampscott community.

“I wanted to create something for everyone,” Donnelly said. “Everyone coming together and adding their own little part … it just strengthens our community.”

Gorham was quick to credit the volunteers and local businesses that helped bring the afternoon together. She said Aldrich offered, without being asked, to donate refreshments, and Donnelly pulled together the craft activities. Other musicians and artists also stepped forward to fill out the program, she said, allowing the gathering to take shape through a community effort.

“Everybody just kind of stepped up to the plate,” she said.

Gorham also said the collaborative activities reflected exactly what organizers hoped to accomplish.

“It’s so wonderful to see people connected,” Gorham said. “Everybody’s exchanging plants, doing the mural together. That’s what it’s about.”

As neighbors lingered beneath the shade of trees long into the afternoon, the Garden Music Gathering definitely fostered that sense of community Gorham and others were seeking to preserve.

The setting may have shifted, but the goal remained much the same: bringing artists, musicians, gardeners, and neighbors together, while carrying forward the community legacy that Shear, Morrell, and ReachArts helped cultivate.

Community members participate in a drum circle to kick off Swampscott’s Garden Music Gathering on Sunday.

Dave Aldrich, left, and Neil Qureshi, of Grab the Bagel, handed out donated bagels, chocolate chip cookies, and lemonade.

Keegan Rieber enjoyed free bagels and lemonade on Sunday afternoon.

Mike Brison, left, and Philip Alexander perform to close out Sunday’s event.

Children contribute to the seascape mural at the Garden Music Gathering. From left, Maeve Racki, Bryce Racki, Marley Rieber, Gwyn Geil, and Maxi Taradash.

Event-goers were encouraged to add to this mural, painted by Claire Donnelly.

The Boomerangs invited community members to sing along during their performance of classic hits.

Maxi Taradash poses with two handpainted Swampscott rocks.