It’s hard to picture a more idyllic scene: A warm breeze. Cool grass. A municipal band. And sweet watermelon.

Continuing a 40-year-old summer tradition, the University’s Summer Session and Alumni Association host another round of Wednesday concerts on the historic University quadrangle for the Reno/Sparks community.

The pairing of live music and fresh watermelon is free and open to the public. More recent additions to the concerts include the Alumni Association’s lemonade stands, popcorn tents, bounce houses and face painters for children’s entertainment.

“I like all the little kids with the paint on their face,” said Lindsey Harmon, an Alumni Association program coordinator. “You see little ninja turtles all over the place.”

Summer Session selects the music, hosts a fishing activity booth for children and provides the free watermelon, which has become emblematic to the concerts. The selected music covers a wide variety of genres. Sol’Jibe — a local rock, acoustic, and Latin band — and Brant, a local rock band, appeals to the younger crowd, while the Reno Municipal Band’s Disney music night appeals to families and children.

“It’s a free event and is a nice way to come out to the University and enjoy a nice evening out,” said Brenda Quihuis, Summer Session program coordinator.

Though Disney music night is included every summer, Quihuis said there is an attempt to rotate in new bands and new sounds every summer.

The dates for the concerts are as follows:

• July 16: John Philip Sousa (Reno Municipal Band)
• July 23: Disney (Reno Municipal Band)
• July 30: Guitar Woody and the Boilers
• August 6: Sol’Jibe
• August 13: Brant

Summer Session also hosts other summer event series such as Tuesday Night Movies at the Joe Crowley Student Union Plaza and the Thursday summer lectures. For a calendar of summer events, visit the Summer Session website.