The strains of ‘80s and ‘90s classic rock will be heard over lunch in downtown Covington beginning Thursday, May 7, with the launch of the 25th season of Concerts on the Square.

But this year, something new has been added. Several area restaurants will have tables outside and will sell lunches.

“We want to encourage people to shop and eat downtown,” said Velinda Wheeles, director of Main Street Covington. “People can purchase the lunches when they arrive.”

Restaurants participating include Square Perk Coffee Shop, Bradley’s BBQ, Bread and Butter Bakery and Plain Nuts.

“We’re hopeful for a good month of beautiful weather so we can stay on the square each Thursday,” said Wheeles. “We want them to take advantage of the restaurants we have and enjoy a nice hour on the square. There’s nothing like sitting out in the park under the magnolias – it’s a peaceful feeling – a nice, small town feel-good feeling.”

Blue Maxx, sponsored by McKibben Music, will open the season and features local musicians, Jeff Hay and Tommy Forgay. On May 14, the Newton County Theme School second grad hand bell choir will open the concert, followed by Johnny Roquemore and the Apostles of Bluegrass. Soul and gospel music will be provided by the Bradley Green Band on May 21, and the Seminole Jackson Blues Band will perform on May 28.

“We have always booked different genres weekly so we appeal to different groups of people,” said Buncie Lanner, Executive Director of the Arts Association in Newton County. “The response is awesome. We get about 300 people in attendance [who] come out to enjoy our beautiful square and enjoy good music.”

The concerts are presented by the Arts Association and Main Street Covington, and sponsored, in part, by Rob & Jean Fowler, Abbey Hospice, the Newton Federal Bank and The Covington News.

The event is free and open to the public. In the event of rain, the concerts will be held at the Turner Lake Recreation Center.

For more information, check the Arts Association or Main Street Covington Facebook pages.