EPPING — A light breeze carried the sound of bagpipes across the hayfield.

A tractor pulled a wagon filled with children and their families.

Kids took turns pedaling a toy tractor with a wagon full of bricks to see who could pull them the farthest. Other children painted pumpkins — their first of the season.

And sitting atop a large yellow handcrafted pumpkin in the field overlooking all the activity was a picture of Adam McPhee.

The 12th annual Highnote Balloon and Music Festival was held Saturday at the McPhee family farm in Adam’s memory and it drew a large crowd.

The festival has become a community event that brings hundreds of people to the farm on Prescott Road each year to support the Adam McPhee Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit that offers scholarships to high school students, and assists community organizations, projects and programs that benefit people with disabilities.

“It’s just nice to see people come out and support it,” said Bill McPhee, whose son, Adam, was disabled and died in 1999 at age 21.

His death brought family and friends together for the initial festival held just days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

At the time, the McPhee family debated whether to move ahead with the event as people mourned the deaths in the attacks, but they felt it was important to hold the festival and to keep Adam’s memory alive.

“They’re good people. They do a lot for the community,” said Matt Gunn of Stratham, who brought his two children, Anna, 5, and Max, 3.

The festival features hot air balloon rides and fireworks when the weather cooperates, music, food, games and other entertainment.

It has raised about $70,000 for the memorial fund since it began.

Some of this year’s money will benefit a painting project and the installation of handicap-accessible entrance at the Epping Historical Society.

Peter “Spider” Donahue, 6, and his sister Kylie, 8, of Raymond, enjoyed painting their pumpkins and looked forward to hopping aboard a helicopter.

“I’ve never been in a helicopter before,” said Kylie, whose dad volunteered to help park cars at the festival.

Bill McPhee said the festival’s success is attributed to its many volunteers.

“It’s all family and friends,” he said.

Vic Sokul of Fremont, who recently retired as principal of Exeter High School, attended with his family for the first time.

As a former educator, Sokul was pleased the festival benefited scholarships for high school students.

“Obviously we like to support that,” Sokul said.

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Jason Schreiber may be reached at jschreiber@newstote.com.