Putnam’s Rotary Park was filled once again Saturday with live music and local residents and families enjoying the gorgeous day and the free family event, Particle Accelerator: A Day of Music and Hope.

Particle Accelerator is an annual benefit concert that raises awareness for suicide and depression and funds for United Services. Saturday marked the 16^th annual concert and raised just over $11,000 for local community behavioral health services.

The free, all day music festival featured 14 bands playing music of all genres and for all ages. The concert began at noon and continued until 9 p.m.

“Particle Accelerator 16 was fabulous. Old friends, new friends, more hugs and just love everywhere,” said event co-founder Grace Young. “It was wonderful, and it always is. I’m overwhelmed by the love and support of family and friends new and old.”

The festival started in 2007 by family and friends of Putnam resident Jack Young Jr., who died by suicide on his 27^th birthday that year. Event organizers include Grace and Jack Young Sr. and Eric and Sandy Gould, all of Putnam.

The annual benefit concert has two main goals, organizers said. The first is to raise funds and awareness to support United Services, Inc., the community behavioral health center serving 21 towns in northeastern Connecticut, including Putnam, since 1964.

“United Services continues to see dramatic increases in the number of individuals reaching out for help,” said United Services President/CEO Diane L. Manning. “Particle Accelerator is an opportunity to come together and support each other and talk about the importance of access to mental health services, and we are grateful to everyone who makes it happen.”

Performers Saturday included: Kala Farnham, Llama Tsunami, The Papa Joe Show, Fleet and more.

The second event goal is to provide information and support for depression and suicide prevention, while promoting music and civic engagement as a healthy alternative to drug and alcohol abuse among young adults.

Saturday brought large crowds to the park, where residents could also learn about local mental health and other social service resources from United Services, the Windham County chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Norwich Vet Center and Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW), who also set up an obstacle course for kids to enjoy at the event.

Particle Accelerator’s Wall of Angels, a moving tribute to friends and family members lost to suicide, honored 331 people this year with photos on the wall and the lighting of luminaria at dusk.