This Thursday afternoon begins a beloved Covington summertime tradition - the Arts Association in Newton County's Concerts on the Square program.

For the month of May, the Arts Association along with corporate sponsor BB&T will present a series of free and public concerts on the Covington square every Thursday at noon.

Starting off the concert series on May 1 is the Alcovy High School Band under the direction of band director Lloyd McDonald.

"We are going to be playing all kinds of stuff," McDonald said of his band's upcoming performance. "We are going to be featuring a wide variety of styles highlighting music of America."

McDonald said audience participation in several of the songs will be encouraged.

Abigail Coggin, program director for the Arts Association, said that the groups chosen to perform this year all came recommended by people in the Newton County community.

"They're all Georgia artists," Coggin said, adding that the Arts Association worked hard to come up with a variety of genres for concert attendees to enjoy this year.

A bluegrass group, the Musselwhite Family will be the next to perform on May 8. The band features the four Musselwhite siblings on the fiddle, banjo, mandolin and bass. They are accompanied by their mother, Cindy, who plays the guitar.

On May 15, The John Scott Jazz Quartet will perform on the square followed by the Jamaican SWATT Reggae Band on May 22.

Rounding out the month of free music are Dan and Perri Walden on May 29. The duo will be playing old time and traditional folk music. A self-described "hippie," Dan Walden serves as the director of Youth & Children's Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church in Covington.

The Arts Association's free concerts on the square will resume again in September.