Soft music with smooth beats filled the air on Third Beach Thursday night.  

There was a cool breeze to accompany the even cooler music sang by Norman Bird Sanctuary's Erika Gibb. There were s'mores for the kids. More beats from the conga drums.  As the fire grew, so did the enthusiasm from the kids around it.  

The Norman Bird Sanctuary had organized the laid-back "Sunset Rhythms on the Beach" to include an interpretive walk along the shore, followed by a campfire, songs, drumming, and of course marshmallow roasting.

Norman Bird Sanctuary Director of Development Lesley Muir lit the fire. Erika and Chelsea got the drums going. The visiting Central Falls students took to the ocean and savored the gorgeous sights of Third Beach. As the sun set, a new arrival graced the shores of Third Beach.

A spectacular full moon.

It simply entranced everyone on the beach. There were so many pictures taken of the moon on this night, you would have thought the paparazzi invaded Middletown. Not at all. It was simply too great a sight to ignore.  

The smell of s'mores filled the air as 7-year-old Kate Plunkett, who at the start of the night quietly tapped and thumped a makeshift drum, was now dancing up a storm on the beach. Mom Sue smiled and laughed alongside her neighbor Kelly Ganser, whose daughter Kelly goes to school with Kate.  

A hypnotic reflection of the full moon drew gasps from the crowd as the night came to a close.

A night that saw smooth beats, rhymes and life take over Third Beach for the night.