The outdoor festival will be held every second Thursday (except for June) of the month from May through September from 5 to 8 p.m. under the Washington Farmers' Market.

Upcoming events are planned for June 3, July 8, Aug. 12, and Sept. 9.

Chamber President Mark Wessels said the event will be similar to the popular Sunset on the Riverfront parties hosted by Downtown Washington Inc.

"We are a cosponsor of the Sunsets and we'll continue to be. We hope our Music at the Market will be a complement to that event," he said.

Wessels said the Sunsets are so successful and people have often remarked about holding it more than once a month, so when his board was brainstorming about hosting a new fundraising event, it just seemed to make sense to build on it.

Music at the Market will replace the parks department's Concert in the Park series, he said.

The format will be similar to Sunset with free musical entertainment.

The first Music at the Market will feature the Augusta Bottoms Consort.

"We thought they would be a great fit for the Farmers' Market venue," Wessels said.

People will be able to purchase beverages, including beer and wine, as well as nonalcoholic drinks. There will be a featured winery each month and one specialty beer.

"On May 13 we will highlight the Adam Puchta Winery and Budweiser American Ale," Wessels said. "The event will begin with one food vendor, but more may be added during the season if the crowds are large."

Wessels said he doesn't know what to expect as far as turnout goes, but the two organizations are very excited about the new event and excited to use the market.

"The market is such a great facility that we feel it should be used more," he said. "We hope people will stop by after work or come down with their families, just like at Sunset on the Riverfront."

Wessels noted that the market has public restrooms and ceiling fans which will provide a breeze for the warmer summer months.

This latest venture between the Chamber and parks department continues a long tradition. The two groups work together to put on the Olde Fashioned Christmas and the Washington Town and Country Fair.

The new event will mean a change in schedule for the Chamber's annual Professional/Retail Mixer, which will now be held the third Thursday in May, and Industrial Mixer, which moves to the third Thursday in June.

The other bands scheduled for 2010 Music at the Market include Back Stage Pass, June 3; Silver Wings, July 8; Fan Fare, Aug. 12, and Jump the Shark, Sept. 9.