The two-monthlong Summer Music Festival that brings the arts to Redlands opened its 100th season with excited festivalgoers arriving to claim their seats at the city’s historic amphitheater as early as noon Friday.

Broadway’s Sierra Boggess, who played Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” and made her Broadway debut as Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” took the Redlands Bowl stage at 8 p.m.

But hours before she stepped out to greet the opening night audience, longtime festival attendees, newcomers and everyone in between began making the trek to the Grant Street amphitheater, where crowds have enjoyed classical, world music, dance and other performing artists since 1924.

“It’s really beautiful,” said Evelyn Trejo of Banning, taking in the stage and Prosellis on what she said was her first visit to the Bowl. “It’s my first time sitting here, and to think it’s 100 years old, it’s an actual beautiful building.”

Riverside couple Stan and Sue Brassfield, sitting on the benches in front of the Prosellis, said they’ve been to the Bowl too many times to count. Born and raised in Redlands, they moved away in 1959 but kept coming to performances at the Bowl.

Three hours prior to showtime, nearly 70 people, not including staff and crew, were busy finding seating.

Longtime Redlands residents Jacob and Marlys Mantel sat on a bench under the shade of trees to the side of the Bowl.

They said they’d been taking in shows at the Bowl for decades, and Marlys added that she was looking forward to the tribute bands in the lineup for the festival celebrating “100 Years of Music Under the Stars.”

Many showed up early not only to find good parking and seats, but to picnic in the Bowl. They sprawled blankets across the grass in Smiley Park, and those who were sitting on the benches set up umbrellas to block the sun.

David and Gina Mills brought their own chairs. They said they’d moved to Grand Terrace about five years ago. David Mills, born and raised in Redlands, said he’s been to the Bowl about 63 times. Gina Mills she was excited to see Frankie Avalon this year.

“I think it’s going to be awesome,” David Mills said of opening night before Boggess’ performance. “They always put on a good program.”

Kids ran around the park playing, teenage girls started their own volleyball game to the side, staff continued setting up, and Bowlgoers continued to picnic in anticipation of the performance as the sun started to take its bow for the night.

Claudia Ruiz, a 25-year Redlands resident, as well as her companions, Kevin Belton from England and canine Rocky Dog, made themselves comfortable on a picnic blanket with chips and homemade guacamole.

Ruiz said the Bowl is one of the things she loves most about Redlands. She looks forward to it every summer, she said, and all the performances are “outstanding.”

“The fact that for 100 years they have managed to keep the venue free of charge,” Ruiz said. “It speaks loudly about what kind of community we are … it’s remarkable.”

Since its inception, the Bowl has relied on donations and fundraising to produce programming. Admission is not charged at the shows.

The crowd continued to grow more excited as the evening grew closer to the performance by Boggess, some even cheering during a brief soundcheck.

Beverly Noerr, executive director of Redlands Bowl Performing Arts, which oversees programming at the Bowl, said her team was so excited they hardly stand it.

“The night we waited for is finally here,” she said.

The 100th season of the Summer Music Festival continues with performances on Tuesday and Friday nights through Aug. 26. Go online to redlandsbowl.org for the full schedule.