Pullman Parks and Recreation began its summer concert series Wednesday night in an effort to provide the community with an opportunity for family fun and local arts.

Recreation Superintendent Kurt Dahmen said he enjoys providing the community with this tradition every year to help families get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors.

“The City of Pullman likes to provide a high quality of life for its residents,” Dahmen said. “Providing a lot of options so community members can do something new every week is what we pride ourselves on.”

Several performers will take the stage throughout July and August to give community members a variety of musical choices. The Community Band of the Palouse kicked off the concert series and over the coming weeks, several country, rock and folk musicians will perform in front of the community.

Dan Faller and the Working Poor will perform their Country music from 6-7:30 p.m. on July 25 at the park.

All members of the Working Poor are local to the area and Faller said they prefer performing in community settings.

“All of us are a little older, so we’re not huge fans of playing at nightclubs until 1 a.m. anymore,” Faller said. “We love playing outside and getting to play for the home crowd.”

Faller and the Working Poor have been performing in Reaney Park for several years and always enjoy getting to celebrate local talent.

“This series helps to preserve local art and gives local talent acts a venue that’s not a bar or a coffee house,” Faller said. “It gives anyone exposure to local, live music.”

Faller loves playing for the families and kids that come to the concerts in the park because he gets to see how important music can become in the lives of children.

“Maybe one kid will see you perform and maybe he’ll go pick up a guitar himself,” Faller said. “Maybe he’ll get a group of his friends and another band producing more live music will come out of one concert you did in a park in little Pullman.”

Dahmen not only likes getting to see the talent he selected perform, but he enjoys watching the community members enjoy all the activities the park has to offer. Children will have access to the playground and food vendors will be at the event as well, he said.

The Concerts in the Park series start at 6 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 15 in Reaney Park. Talent acts include Hilary Scott, the Aaron Cerutti Band, Mojo Box and Soulstice. Admission is free and open to the public.

“We want to get everyone outside and enjoying Pullman,” Dahmen said. “Families enjoy the greenery of the parks and college students can get off College Hill and enjoy the downtown atmosphere.”