This Friday evening, July 13, marks the start of the Oakdale Concerts in the Park summer series, sponsored by the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce.

Hosted in Dorada Park, bands set up in the pavilion located behind the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce building and adjacent to Royse Memorial Plunge. The events start at 6:30 p.m. every Friday evening, running this year from July 13 through Aug. 31.

Concert attendees frequently bring a picnic dinner, chairs, and blankets to enjoy the evening entertainment. Alcohol is allowed at the concerts, as long as it isn’t in a glass container. There will also be local vendors present, selling kettle corn and refreshments to concert-goers.

As for the bands, Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Mary Guardiola noted that “some of them play every year, but they’re all from the valley.”

Often, headliners are regulars at the series, and some play for the Chocolate Festival in May as well.

Alex Lucero and Live Again will kick off the series on July 13, followed by the California Outlaws on July 20. After, six more bands will be playing throughout the summer: July 27 – Dossi on the Rocks; Aug. 3 – Barbara Findlay and Jim Ramont; Aug. 10 – Heidi Brunk Band; Aug. 17 – Oakdale Community Band; Aug. 24 – Cloak and Swagger; and, rounding out the summer series on Aug. 31 – Mark Macsenti and The Taillights.

The event is free to attend and more information on sponsorship, dates, bands, and the location can be found on the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.oakdalechamber.com/concerts-in-the-park/.