Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space is giving the community another reason to go outside and enjoy the beautiful northern Nevada summer nights with a free eight-week concert series at Lazy 5 Regional Park beginning tonight.

Unsure of the outdoor concert series’ future amidst tough economic times, businesses and organizations from the community have stepped in to help fund the series, said Barbara Borges, recreation coordinator for Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space.

“We were fortunate to have local business come through and sponsor the series,” Borges said, adding that she had to hit the pavement and mail a lot of letters to secure this year’s sponsors. “I’ve worked on getting these sponsors year round.”

Borges said that it was important for the county to keep the concert series going because families are looking for more affordable or free entertainment options because of the economy.

“The concert series is a great place for families to come together and enjoy free concert entertainment,” Borges said. “We started these concerts five years ago and we started them with six concerts. Three years ago we started doing eight shows.”

Tonight kicks off the concert series with the band Acaustic Lick performing at 6:30 p.m. The concerts will be held every Wednesday through Aug. 26 with a eclectic mix of local bands performing as follows:

• July 8: Acoustic rock with Acaustic Lick, sponsored by Goddard School of Sparks

• July 15: Celtic folk with The Sturdy Beggars, sponsored by Cascades of the Sierra

• July 22: Classic rock with Critical Mass, sponsored by Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

• July 29: Bluegrass music with Ponderosa, sponsored by All Valley Home Care

• August 5: Classic rock with The Hitmen, sponsored by Kiley Ranch Communities

• Aug. 12: Blues with Jo Mama, sponsored by Laurie Brazier of State Farm Insurance

• Aug. 19: Pink Floyd tribute with Eclipse, sponsored by First Independent Bank of Nevada.

• Aug. 26: Reggae with Jahzilla, sponsored by Pack N Post and the Carson City Beauty Academy

Borges said that since the concerts started five years ago, the number of bands seeking to perform at the Lazy 5 Regional Park has increased.

“We started out with a mailing list of local artists, local being up to Truckee,” Borges said. “Now we have names from a variety of sources and a very large mailing list.”

Borges said that this year she had 24 bands apply to perform for the series but had to whittle the list down to eight. She said that she picks bands based on a list of criteria that includes the band having a sound system capable of accommodating an outdoor performance, diverse musical styles and the cost of the performance, which is paid with money donated by the event’s sponsors.

“These are family concerts and we inform the band of that,” Borges said. “We ask them to tailor their performance accordingly.”

Through the years, Borges said that the audience for the shows has grown steadily.

“The longer we’ve had the series going, the better it’s gotten,” Borges said, adding that the number of people in attendance ranges from 500 to 800 and grows throughout the summer.

Borges said that families are encouraged to bring small coolers and backless or low-back lawn chairs but that glass and pets are prohibited. She also said this year’s series will include a free barbecue provided by the series sponsor, Summit Christian Church and the weekly concert sponsor. Borges said food will be provided but that people are encouraged to bring their own drinks.

For more information on the Lazy 5 Summer Music Series, visit www.co.washoe.nv.us/parks. The concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 26. Lazy 5 Regional Park is located at 7100 Pyramid Highway.