Eight free concerts will be offered Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m., beginning Thursday, in Walbridge Park overlooking the Maumee River through June and July. The park, dating to the 1800s, is across from the Toledo Zoo on Broadway near Harvard Boulevard.

Music will be performed near the gazebo, and in case of rain, will move to the picnic pavilion near the shelter house. People may bring blankets or lawn chairs, picnics, games, pets, and mosquito protection.

Opening Thursday night will be the five-piece Cottonwood Jam String Band, playing bluegrass, Celtic, and Americana. June 16 will feature folk singer Dave Browning, June 23 is to be announced, and June 30 will be Pat Lewandowski and the Gray Devils. Extra Stout will perform Irish music July 7; Move, the jazz band at Toledo School for the Arts, will play July 14; TSA's Glass City Steel Drum Band will play July 21, and the group for July 28 is yet to be announced.

First Published June 9, 2011, 4:15 a.m.