Hopkins will kick off its summer Music in the Park series Thursday with a march through downtown by the First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band. The march will begin at 6:15 p.m. beneath the clock tower at 9th Avenue and Main Street.

The band will stop and play its Revolutionary War-style music with drums and fifes at various locations throughout downtown before returning to Downtown Park for the start of the 7 p.m. concert.

Eight additional concerts will follow this summer, and every concert will be at 7 p.m. on a Thursday in Downtown Park, except for a special noon concert July 18 by the Somewhat Dixieland Band. The bands playing will cover a wide variety of music. For a complete schedule and band list, go to www.hopkinsmn.com/events/music-in-the-park.php.

The concerts are free, sponsored by the Hopkins Business and Civic Association. Volunteers from the Hopkins Activity Center will sell raspberry sundaes at the events.