1st Saturday will soon officially kick off its second season of free, outdoor concerts in Downtown Salisbury, and attendees can expect 2016 to be even bigger and better than last year.

Even more community partners are lending a hand to ensure the continued success of 1st Saturday.

Returning this year as gold sponsors are the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District, First Shore Federal, Headquarters Live, Park & Flea and Value Carpet One. This year’s new gold sponsors are The City of Salisbury and Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services. The Maryland Group of Long & Foster have continued their support this year as a silver sponsor.

Also returning this year as our media sponsors are the Salisbury Independent and WMDT. Our newest media sponsor is Adams Radio Group, which just relocated its headquarters to Salisbury.

A new slate of bands that will take the 1st Saturday stage – AKA the steps of the Government Office Building – will make for a fresh, more diverse musical experience.

• April 2: AMP Studio: Academy of Music Performance, with special guest JFLO
• May 7: breakfast.
• June 4: Alex & Shiloh Band
• July 2: Zen Monkeys & Red Letter Day
• August 6: Alternate Endings
• September 3: Eastwood
• October 1: Saltwater String Band

All shows begin at 4 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. Like last year, North Division Street from Main Street to Church Street will be closed to traffic. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket so they can comfortably enjoy the show.

1st Saturday and its sponsors are partnering with Operation We Care throughout the entire season to collect donations for the organization’s care packages. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation to every event to help support our troops, police and fire/EMT. A complete list of the most needed items can be found at www.operationwecare.org.

New this year, 1st Saturday will host a different food truck each month for the convenience and enjoyment of our attendees. Grab a bite to eat from the food truck of the month, or patronize one of the Downtown’s great restaurants. Picnics are encouraged, but littering is not. There will be plenty of trash receptacles available, thanks to the City of Salisbury.

As 1st Saturday grows, so does the Art Market, which will feature more artists and even a few furry friends, thanks to the new involvement of Goatopia.

Also new this year, 1st Saturday has available for sale limited edition 2016 T-shirts. We’ll also be giving away free bumper stickers and free season lineup refrigerator magnets.

Throughout the year, there will be surprise guests, games, nonprofit tables, and more. The 1st Saturday Dunk Tank will again be featured during our July event and we are looking for local celebrities willing to get wet for our cause.

Each and every event will be held on the steps of the Government Office Building, unless it rains. Rain locations have been split between Headquarters Live and Roadie Joe’s Bar & Grill. Like us on Facebook to get up-to-date information about event relocation.

1st Saturday provides a free, family-friendly experience for locals while also promoting local business, tourism growth, and community involvement through music and celebration. The event is an all-volunteer effort, a downtown economic development initiative, and a project of the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District Committee.

For more information, visit www.1stsaturdaysby.com.