DOVER — Motorists on Dover Point Road may have been concerned observing a large amount of smoke and flame emanating from the land of Tendercrop Farm at the Red Barn a little after 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

There was however, no major conflagration, for this was a planned fire. It was in fact a bonfire held by the owners of Tendercrop Farm.

“For more than 10 years, we have held a bonfire at our farm in Newbury, Mass.,” said Tendercrop owner Matt Kozazcki, “and decided to have one here in Dover to celebrate the community.”

Although the bonfire was a specific draw, there was much more this day. For a $5 fee, collected to benefit Dover High School Baseball, families could stroll the acreage and enjoy a variety things.

There were several food trucks on the property, 7th Settlement was purveying some of its local favorite beers, and many families were visiting the Tendercrop animal pens. There were cannonball sliding tubes, which attracted a large number of the youngsters, one of whom was third-grader Ava Solomos of Lynn, Massachusetts, who was joined by mother, Maria, who said, “We heard of this event online and I always look for fun and outdoorsy things for us to do, we love little adventures like this.”

Ava was busy attracting her mother’s attention, urging her go to the pit where she could roast marshmallows, and off they went.

Ed Winkler was seen with son Spencer, a 10-year-old Dover Middle School student. They were watching the sheep and lambs while waiting for the bonfire lighting.

“We came here for that,” said Ed, a Back Road resident, who shops often at Tendercrop. “I like this idea, it is so family-oriented.”

As dusk approached and the time for the bonfire lighting came near the crowd swelled close to a thousand strong.

Mike Pomp, The Music Man DJ, of WTSN radio, played a steady stream of music, much of it creatively related to evening and fire.

Sara Harvey, Tendercrop event coordinator, was overseeing all that was occurring. At one point she stopped at a raffle table and announced over the loudspeaker that for only a dollar, one of the attendees would have an opportunity to light the bonfire.

“The proceeds go to End 68 Hours of Hunger,” she said. Her comments spurred numerous people to approach the booth.

Later on, as the appointed lighting time approached, Dover Middle School student Jillian Sheedy volunteered from the audience selecting ticket number 7686815, which was read, and almost immediately the Lynch family from Dover approached. Toni and Jeff were joined by their children Bella 7, and Nolan 4. They were overjoyed to have the opportunity. Toni joked and said with a grin, “I suggested that he not buy a ticket, but he bought one behind my back.”

Sara Harvey led them to the edge of the more than 2,200 Christmas trees awaiting their torch. In a subdued manner the Lynches touched fire to the huge mound and the bonfire began, with flames jumping and smoke redolent of Christmas’ past.

Alex and Ben Gantz of Durham attended with their 2-year-old son Ronan and found the bonfire to be a “great idea,” said Alex, “this is good for the community, I hope that they have more events like this.”