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Prince George's County residents looking to stretch their dollars during tough economic times needn't look far for free entertainment this summer. There is a long list of events aimed at keeping residents close to home and on budget.

Residents have their pick of free concerts — from hip-hop to bluegrass — in nearly every region of the county and art and educational programs at community centers and parks.

Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm is gearing up for an eventful season starting with its Summer Kickoff concert June 28. Organizers said they are hoping to draw big crowds with a mix of programs including concerts, junior ranger programs, and historical performances.

"Our park has so much to offer — bad economy, good economy we want people to see what's here. This is your community," said Marilyn Cohen-Brown, a park ranger.

Brown said that as the economy slid, the park hasn't held back in programming as it expects its range of events will be crowd pleasers.

"We are getting more and more people coming to our events. People aren't traveling so they're taking advantage of local attractions," she said.

Residents, too, said the lure of free entertainment in the mist of a recession has turned things like outdoors concerts into family events.

Rachel Pearson, 33, of Hyattsville took her 15-month-old daughter to one of the weekly free concerts at the University Town Center in Hyattsville last week.

"I wanted to check [out the concert] because it's free music," she said.

Pearson, who recently finished graduate school at the University of Maryland, College Park, is looking for work and is short on money, but has a lot of time to spare, she said.

"I think [free entertainment] is really important because it helps build the community — especially now with the economy," she said.

Local planners and developers said they have been capitalizing on bringing free events to their areas as a way to tighten communities, and bring character to neighborhoods.

Lynda Linn, marketing manager at the town center, said the development's Wednesday evening concert series has been a boom for business. Often people come for the music and end up stopping by shops and restaurants in the development.

"If somebody wants to come here and combine music and food, they can do that," she said.

And performers also said there is much to be gained from performing free concerts.

"It's amazing," said singer Tamika Jones, 26, of Washington, D.C., as she was about to take to the stage to perform with her band Electric Soul. "I get tired of telling my friends to come see me but you have to pay $10 — it's good to have something free."

And fun free events go beyond free music. Linn said the development also has Cruise Nights every other Saturday during the summer where motorists gather to show off their collection of cars ranging from classic to muscle cars.

The city of Greenbelt said it's keeping busy with its annual event schedule that it will be rolling out all summer, including its Artful Afternoon series at the Greenbelt Community Center July 5 that features artists opening up their space for residents to see their displays.

"It's good for all ages," said Beverly Palau, public information coordinator for the city. "I think residents realize when they go to these events that they're part of a larger community. We just like for people to come together."

Likewise, city planners in Bowie said they will be offering free events all summer meant to give residents options that are close to home, including a weekend concert series featuring weekly performances from a mix of bands ranging from R&B, bluegrass and rock.

"We want to provide quality recreation to the community," said Matt Corley, special events coordinator for the city. "It's a great way to be close to home and be entertained — they're totally free."

And arts organizations are also getting in on the free entertainment by offering special gallery nights featuring community artists.

The Hyattsville Community Arts Alliance will sponsor Art Spin 2009, which will feature an arts gallery in unused retail space in the University Town Center Lofts every Wednesday though July 17. Planners said the event helps highlight community art and creativity.

"It shows [residents] how many talented people there are in the community…and it gives Hyattsville a focus," said Barbara LoMacchio, a member of the Alliance.

Free entertainment

National Harbor

Sunset Concert Series

6:30 p.m. at National Harbor

(There is a fee for tickets clost to the stage, price varies)

Zoso—The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, tonight

Travis Tritt, July 16

Yes with special guest Asia, July 23

The Derek Trucks Band and Soulive, Aug. 6

Jason Aldean, Aug. 8

Bowie Saturday

Concert Series

2 p.m. at Town Green Park, Bowie

Durham Station (bluegrass), Saturday

Positive Vibration (reggae), June 27

Beach Bumz (beach), July 11

d.c. Motors (classic rock), July 18

Infinite Jazz featuring Mr. Young, July 25

Project Natale (jazz), Aug. 1

5 Oaks (folk/rock/country), Aug. 8

Bowie Sunday Sunset

Concert Series

7 p.m. at Allen Pond Park, Bowie

The Shades (early rock), Sunday

Evelyn "Champagne" King (soul), June 28

Summer Kick off Concert

Oxon Cove Park, 6411 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill

The Moonlighters, June 28

Music on the Plaza

5 p.m. Wednesdays

University Town Center

6500 America Boulevard Hyattsville

Deb Callahan (blues), Wednesday

City of Greenbelt

Artful Afternoon

Greenbelt Community Center, July 5

Mid-Summer Nights Dream

Greenbelt Community Center, 3 p.m. Aug. 2

Greenbelt Labor Day Fest, Sept. 6

Greenbelt Arts Center

Shakespeare on the Green

Othello, Sept. 5-7

E-mail Joshua Garner at jgarner@gazette.net