For some free family entertainment, head out to Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St., Columbia, for a series of concerts offered by the Columbia Lions Club. All concerts will be held from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. in the gazebo in the park.

The series will kick off on Friday, May 19, with a performance by Central City Orchestra. Playing for the first time in Columbia, the 10-piece group specializes in high-energy dance songs from the past and the hits of today. On Friday, June 16, The Nomads will entertain. The group performs '50s and '60s classic rock 'n' roll. The Maxwell Project will play on Friday, July 21. The group's shows mix R&B with funk and soul and include an Earth, Wind and Fire tribute set. The concert series will wrap up on Friday, Aug. 18, with the Mama Tried Band. The group performs a variety of dance music.

Food will be available for purchase at each concert, said Phil Kresge, who is co-chairing the Columbia Lions Club's Music in the Park series with Paul Resch. The lineup will include Scoops Ice Cream & Grille, Maine Course Mobile, Authentic Italian Ice and Half Nuts Popcorn Co.

As Kresge explained, the Lions Club members were looking for ways to put the gazebo in the park to use when the group came up with the idea of monthly summer concerts. "(It's) a way of both using the gazebo and bringing the community together to enjoy the gazebo, the beautiful park, some yummy treats and an evening of great music," he stated. He noted that the Lions were hoping to get community sponsors to fund the concerts so that the music series would not impact funds the club uses for other community projects and so that the concerts could be offered free of charge. He notes that the 2023 summer concerts are made possible through the support of the following sponsors: the Columbia Borough Fire Department (in memory of Bum Klinestever), Columbia Fraternal Association, Columbia-Middletown Elks 1074, Mountz & Kreiser Law Office, McCarty's Seal Coating, Columbia American Legion, Chickies Rock Moose 307, The Medicine Shoppe, Sahd Metal Recycling, Columbia Foresters of America, The Knights of Columbus, Columbia Kettle Works, Wrightsville Social Club, Kleen-Rite Corp., Catholic War Veterans, McElhenneys Notary, Scoops Ice Cream & Grille and the Sunsnappers.

Kresge noted that all concerts are weather permitting, and there are no weather make-up dates. "Our concerts are for all ages and free," he remarked. "If you haven't been to one of our concerts, you really should come check it out. It's a fantastic way to start a summer weekend."

For more information about the concerts or the Columbia Lions Club, search for "Columbia Pa Lions Club" on Facebook or visit https://columbialions.org.