Fat Box will perform as part of the free Concerts in the Park series.

A popular summer concert series is ready to begin its 40th year.

The 2019 BB&T Concerts in the Park series will open Friday with a performance at Circus Square Park from Dizzorderly Conduct, a local band that specializes in rock music from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.

Concerts in the Park will have a show every Friday evening and will conclude with Fat Box’s set Aug. 30, according to Ron Murphy, executive director of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, which organizes the series.

All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. Food and vendors will be available starting at 6 p.m.

A full list of acts for the series, which includes Tyrone Dunn and Kin-Foke, the Ernie Small Blues Band and Andy and the Rockers, can be found at downtowbg.org.

The Downtown Redevelopment Authority organizes the series to provide the community with free, family-friendly entertainment, Murphy said.

“It’s enjoyed by the family,” he said. “It’s not an expensive thing for families to come out and enjoy themselves.”

Murphy said the series adds value to the community by giving families multiple opportunities to get out and have fun during the summer.

“It just provides something going on during June, July and August when school’s out. People are just looking to do something to get out of the house.” he said.

Murphy said he’s pleased with the series’ longevity and growth through the years.

“It’s just a tradition,” he said. “I guess you’d say it started out very simple and very lean, but it has grown through the years.”

Though previous Concerts in the Park series used Fountain Square Park as a venue, the concerts this year will only take place at Circus Square Park.

“We had to change it up this year because of all of the construction going on downtown. The city did not lease out (Fountain Square Park) this year,” he said, though he added that he intended to use Fountain Square next year.

Murphy said volunteers who help organize the series, financial assistance from sponsors and the community’s acceptance have kept it going through the years.

“As long as it’s accepted and the public wants it, we’re going to do it,” he said.