Soon, area residents will be able to say “Thank God It’s Friday” all over again.

Suffolk Parks and Recreation’s TGIF concert series returns this Friday with music by the Michael Clark Band at 5:30 p.m. at Constant’s Wharf. This Friday’s TGIF is a business appreciation event, presented by Suffolk Economic Development and Suffolk Economic Development Authority.

“We put these events together so we can provide families with something fun and positive to end their work week with,” Parks and Recreation Director Lakita Frazier said. Each event features children’s activities, food vendors and a different band for entertainment. Bands are chosen through citizen input collected at past TGIF concerts, Frazier said.

“We definitely consider our citizen input, which includes surveys at all of our TGIFs,” Frazier said. “We also look at the fan base. We want to make sure it is a band that is followed not only by Suffolk citizens, but those from surrounding areas as well.”

The department also strives to get a diverse selection of music genres that will appeal to the community — everything from R&B to beach music to country to pop.

“We look for diverse music to represent our community,” Frazier said.

In past years, the concerts have attracted an average of about 500 people per concert, Frazier said, with more than 2,000 on holiday weekends.

Pender & Coward, Bronco Federal Credit Union and the Addison Group sponsor the series.

The first six concerts of the series will be held at Constant’s Wharf Park, 110 E. Constance Road. No concert will be held July 30, but the remaining five concerts move to Bennett’s Creek Park, on Bennett’s Creek Park Road. All concerts begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.

For more information, call 514-7267.

TGIF Concert Series schedule:

4June 18 — Michael Clark Band

4June 25 — Slapwater

4July 2 — Hotcakes

4July 9 — The Rhondels

4July 16 — A Touch of Spice

4July 23 — Strictly Bizzness (presented by Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Alumni Association)

4Aug. 6 — FAB

4Aug. 13 — Cedar Creek

4Aug. 20 — The Janitors

4Aug. 27 — The Overtime Band

4Sept. 3 — Island Boy