The Port Townsend Main Street Program is pleased to announce the return of its free outdoor “Concerts on the Dock” series in Pope Marine Park, running from 5-7 p.m. on Thursdays from July 11 through Aug. 29.

The annual summer concert series primarily features local bands. The venue opens its beer, wine and cider garden at 4:30 p.m. with local vendors. Concert dates subject to changes or cancellations based on circumstances, including the weather.

The Port Townsend Main Street Program is anticipating hundreds of attendees each week, and encourages them to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating.

July 11 kicks off the series with the Seattle-based Marmalade, who bill themselves as “a collective of integrated stylings of funk, soul, hip-hop and afrobeat, bringing the groove.”

They are followed July 18 by the Sweater Weather String Band, whose members were drawn together from across the Salish Sea by what they describe as “a mutual love of traditional music and knitwear.” They blend old-time, honky-tonk, Celtic and indie rock influences into a style that they say has been likened to “the frolicking of sheep before a thunderstorm.”

July 25 is slated to bring Jay Si Proof, born in 2019 from “the soggy, jazz-soaked dirt” of Portland, Oregon. The band is described as “earth jazz alchemists” by Vortex Magazine, with the members recounting how the music “evolved through adventurous jazz fusion, to low-fi jams, to a full fledged funk party,” all while prioritizing “genuine messages of spirituality, human betterment and playfulness.”

Alternative indie rock band Cold Comfort and the self-described “harmony-heavy, folky rock-and-roll” Seattle band Small Paul are scheduled to perform Aug. 1, with Cold Comfort touting its “organic” origins as a collaboration of five longtime friends’ impromptu jams during their first year of living in Seattle, after moving there from Port Townsend in 2011.

Award-winning trio Duende Libre is expected to come to town Aug. 8, bringing “euphoric new jazz.” Those rhythms can be traced to their roots to Cuba, Brazil and West Africa, with each band member having apprenticed with direct descendants and master musicians from those historic traditions.

Aug. 15 promises the arrival of Uncle Funk and the Dope 6, who describe themselves as “hailing from all reaches of the country.” Further, they note they were “hand-selected” in 2013 to form “the ultimate party and dance band,” capable of providing a “finely tuned musical experience” for audiences.

Sweet N’ Juicy, which “specializes in party music” with flavors of funk, rock and soul, is set to perform during the same concert as Marco Marco, a duo who blend alternative, indie, electropop and “dream pop,” Aug. 22.

And the summer Concerts on the Dock are due to wrap up Aug. 29 with Kevin Mason and the PT All-Stars, bringing “hot dance music” to the park through singers Kevin Mason and Christa Holbrook, Dawn Martin on piano, Mark Paris on bass, Scott Bradley on guitar and Russ Lowry on drums.

The Port Townsend Main Street Program’s stated goal with Concerts on the Dock is to “create a connection” with downtown Port Townsend. The events “showcase great regional music and local businesses,” which help sponsor the shows through the venue, the stage, and the beer and wine garden.

For more information on the beer garden, or the rest of the Concerts on the Dock, visit ptmainstreet.org/concerts-on-the-dock.