Summer band director Roger Finch is back again to lead the Yakima Valley Community Band in its annual Concerts in the Parks series, which begins next week.

The free outdoor concerts are on Wednesdays in Yakima's Randall Park through Aug. 5; plus July 9 and Aug. 6 in Toppenish's Railroad Park and July 23 in Wixson Park in Selah. Each show begins at 7 p.m.

Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for comfortable outdoor lounging while listening to classical, jazz, Broadway tunes and marches. Each performance concludes with a medley of patriotic favorites.

For more information about the series, call Gary Peterson at 509-965-2115 or visit www.yakimacommunityband.org.

-- Kim Nowacki