Iowa City’s “Party in the Park” series returns to the area today.

The series is designed to give locals the opportunity to meet in a neighborhood park for live music, games, arts and crafts, and ice cream free of charge, according to a press release.

The get-togethers, sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department and Neighborhood Services Division, are held at a different park each week.

The series will kick off this evening, with band Acoustic Mayhem performing at Kiwanis Park, at the intersection of Aber Avenue and Teg Drive.

Gatherings are scheduled for every summer week, except the last two weeks of August, until Sept. 29.

— by Nina Earnest