IRON MOUNTAIN — After a few “cooler” months in Dickinson County, Thursday daytime and evening concerts at the downtown System Control Stage in the McGee Johnson Park in Downtown Iron Mountain and the City of Norway’s downtown bandshell, respectively, return for the summer of 2024.

The free concerts begin Thursday for both Out To Lunch and Music in The Park when these two very popular programs return with live entertainment all summer long.

The Out to Lunch concert series will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and Norway’s Music in the Park series will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday, with the Crossroads Church on Odill Drive serving as the Music in the Park concert location for groups in the event of inclement weather.

Out to Lunch and Music in the Park will feature four double-header performances, where the groups on these dates play at both events.

The first double header will be Thursday with Flagship Romance, an unforgettable alternative folk duo known for their breathtaking vocal harmonies, inspired songwriting, dynamic live show and a remarkable on- and off-stage chemistry that creates the feeling of making two new best friends.

Married singers-songwriters Shawn Fisher and Jordyn Jackson effortlessly fuse technical precision in their impeccably tight vocal blend with an invigorating sense of emotional abandon in their energetic live persona. Performing each show as if it could be their last, this duo will have make you wonder how their larger-than-life sound can come from just two voices and an acoustic guitar.

Traveling more than 200,000 miles since their musical inception, the duo has amassed an engaged grassroots following. A testament to Fisher and Jackson’s close relationship with their supporters, Flagship Romance has released four critically acclaimed full-length albums, 100% funded by their enthusiastic fanbase.

Currently based in Louisville, Ky., Flagship Romance has begun releasing a consistent string of singles from the double album, produced by Grammy-award winning producer Lee Miles.

“We thought Flagship Romance would be perfect to open up our 2024 season. Shawn and Jordyn bring such talent and energy,” said Carol Sundstrom, event coordinator for Music in the Park in Norway. “They have such an awesome variety of music that no matter what you love, there will be something for you, and something that you can relate to. It’s a really great start to our seasons.”

“We hope folks who come into Iron Mountain for Out to Lunch will enjoy the afternoon, have a nice dinner in the area, and come on down to the beautiful Band Shell Park in Norway for these free evening performances,” Sundstrom said.

The Music in the Park program began in 2013, and ran for three summers before the grant funding from the Michigan Council for the Arts was discontinued. At the request of many Norway residents, the program was revived through the efforts of a steering committee that included local artist and former MIP organizer Carol Sundstrom, retired Norway-Vulcan Area Schools instrumental music instructor Greg Hunt, and former Norway City Manager Ray Anderson.

Some seating is available at the shell, but those taking in the performances can bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the music. Again this year: Main Street from Eighth to Ninth streets will be blocked off for more seating space and the Open Air Market in front of City Hall. Restrooms will be available in the lower level of City Hall, which will be open for each performance.

Out to Lunch program has been entertaining audiences even longer. Started by the late McGee Johnson in 2002, the program has since been administered by several directors, and is currently operated by the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority.

Sponsorship for the Music in The Park series has come from donations from city residents, local businesses and underwriting, with donations ranging from $25 up to large gifts from area businesses and organizations.

Out to Lunch secures funding through sponsorships, funds raised through their 50-50 raffle, and in-kind donations. This year, a variety of season sponsors support each weekly concert.

“It’s great to see these series both return again this summer. We have fantastic artists lined up, and we know our community will appreciate the variety of styles the artists will bring to both downtown concert venues in Iron Mountain and Norway,” Iron Mountain DDA Event Coordinator Kenzie Williamsen said.

The double-header concerts, featuring groups appearing at both events, this season include:

— Thursday: Flagship Romance, Louisville, Ky.;

— June 20: CJO & Trev, Eagle River, Wis.;

— July 18: Kind of Blues, Escanaba, Iron Mountain and Menominee;

— July 25: 141 North, Iron Mountain/Dickinson County area;

— Aug. 8: The DayDreamers, Marquette.

For more information or full season schedules, go to: facebook.com/Norway-Music-In-The-Park, or downtownironmountain.com/out-to-lunch.