LUMBERTON — Lumberton’s sixth annual concert series Alive After 5 kicks off Thursday with music by Mark Roberts and Breeze from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the corner of Third and Water streets.

It continues with the Craig Woolard Band on June 3, followed by the Fantastic Shakers on June 10, the Band of Oz on June 17 and Jim Quick and the Coastline on June 24.

Started in 2005, city officials strive to “bring awareness and people back into downtown areas,” according to Connie Russ, downtown development coordinator for Lumberton. They copied the idea from other cities seeking to revive a night life.

Concert-goers can also check out recent renovations — brick work, trees and flowers — to the downtown area, which is more than 100 years old, Russ said.

“It has been neglected for some time, but the city has taken a renewed interest in the core of our city,” she said.

About 800 people are expected to hear the beach, shag, dance, rock and funk music from Mark Roberts and the Breeze, a group that includes Terry Nash, J.K. Loftin, Thomas Stanley and Richard Robertson. Russ said more people will show up “as it gets hot and college students get out of school.”

People also come to hear popular local bands. Listening to comments from last year’s participants, Russ asked Coastline and the Craig Woolard bands to return. Mark Roberts and Breeze was also “chosen by popular demand,” she said.

“They relate so well to what we already have going on in Lumberton,” Russ said. “People can come out and shag and do their line dancing.”

If the weather doesn’t allow for a concert, it will be rescheduled if possible.