Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to look for reasons to get out and celebrate it.

One way to do that is by going to a Blue Sky concert, held each Wednesday afternoon throughout May. Next week, sit back with your lunch and listen to the tunes of Shades of Gray, a band based in Lawrenceville.

Joe Burnett, executive director of Mainstreet Gainesville, said they have tried to expand the lineup to more regional bands this year.

“We try to put more people in the rotation each year, and this spring we will be featuring two bands we’ve never featured before,” he said. “The first one is from Lawrenceville, Shades of Gray, and we first became aware of them when they played last year at the Tour de Georgia finish line.

“And many people were saying, ‘Hey, you need to bring them back.’”

Clarkesville band 4 and 20 Blackbirds is also new to the lineup this year.

“It’s more contemporary country,” he said of the band, adding that he was also amused by their name.

Food sponsor this year is Scott’s on the Square, which will be selling boxed lunches on the square for Blue Sky concertgoers. “Or any of our 20-plus restaurants within one block of the square will accommodate you,” Burnett added.

Concertgoers might also want to make a note of the May 20 concert, when Jazz Cronic will play alongside free fried apple pies, in honor of Tourism Week.

“That’s also Blue Sky and Apple Pie day,” Burnett said. “Each spring we partner up with the (Lake Lanier) Convention & Visitors Bureau for (Tourism) Week, and they provide free apple pie and free water.”

Finishing up the month of concerts is local band Riverside, who plays big band classics.

“There’s a lot of equipment, a lot of staging, and people really seem to enjoy them,” he said. “They’ve started to play around the area more and more.”