If you missed on the International Barbeque Festival, don't fret, one of Owensboro's other long-running traditions kicks off tonight. Friday After 5, in its 17th season, will run 17 weeks beginning tonight, May 18th and run through September 7th. It's the longest season run ever for the weekly free festival. The award-winning festival will feature new bands, act as the host for new festivals, and will celebrate the opening of Owensboro's all-new Riverfront.

Tonight's kick-off starts with a tropical theme. On the main stage, 6:30p at the River Park Center, will be Parrots of the Caribbean sponsored by Owensboro Medical Health System. First up in the newly redecorated Unifirst Courtyard will be the Kentucky Jazz Alliance, music runs 7p-10pm. And for the whole family, the Kroger Street Fair is back with tonight, ice cream treats from Frozen Tundra, gourmet hot dogs from Frankly Delicious, and Shade Tree Grill will be cooking. At 7:45, it's kids' hula hoop contest followed by the Kroger water balloon toss at 7:50 where the winning couple receives a $25 Kroger gift card, and a towel to dry off. Also returning this year is the "Gospel on the River" Series with Gospel acts playing inside the River Park center in Cannon Hall. "Gospel on the River" will be held May 25th, June 22nd, July 13th, July 27th, and August 31st.

Then at dusk, every Friday, they'll "Toast the Sunset" and the nightlife takes over. Be sure to visit the Holbrook Balcony and look over the nearly completed Smothers Park Riverfront. A grand opening celebration for the new Riverfront will take place later in the season. If you happen to miss out on all the fun or you want to re-live the celebration, tune into Time Warner Cable channel 8 the weeks of June 8th, June 29th, July 27th, (tentative tape dates will be August 17th and 24th) for replays of the festivities Saturdays at 7pm, Sundays at 1pm, and Wednesdays at 7pm. AND, another brand new way to keep up with all the Friday After 5 fun schedule and announcements?  A mobile app available in the Google Play store for Android or the Apple App store for iPhone.

Here's the complete schedule for the 2012 season:

May 18th: Band-Parrots of the Carribean, Courtyard-Kentucky Jazz Alliance, Street Fair-Tropical Beach Bash

May 25th: Band-Midnight Special, Gospel on the River-Crossment Quartet, Blackwood Gospel Group, and Paul Moseley, Courtyard-The Boro Band, Street Fair-Soap Box Derby cars exhibition

June 1st: Band-Familiar Faces, Courtyard-Heath and Molly Eric, Street Fair-Soap Box Derby Festival

June 8th: Band-Discfunktn'l Groove, Courtyard-DarBy Haas, Street Fair-Disco Party

June 15th: Band-Mudd River Union, Courtyard-Barbara Santora, Street Fair-Bourbon Festival

June 22nd: Band-Caribou, Gospel on the River-Childress Family, Living By Faith, and Deena Ashley,  Courtyard-Rachel Timberlake, Street Fair-Big Red Bash

June 29th:  Band-Jimmy Church Band, Courtyard-Jeff Wildman Hardesty, Street Fair-Sunset Celebration

July 6th: Band-Old School, Courtyard-Aly'an, Street Fair-Family Night

July 13th: Band-Black Widow, Gospel on the River-Southern Sound Quartet, Southland Quartet, and Mark Mudd, Courtyard-The Pits, Street Fair-Daymar Day

July 20th: Band-Larry Maglinger, Courtyard-Elevated Christian Band, Street Fair-Kid's Night

July 27th: Band-V-Groove, Gospel on the River-Conquerors Quartet, New Ground, and Music City Boys Courtyard-Insulated, Street Fair-Young Professionals Night

August 3rd: Band-Legally Wired, Courtyard-Heath and Molly Eric, Street Fair-Dragonboat Festival & Go Green Night

August 10th: Band-After Midnight, Gospel on the River-Stillwater Quartet, Sons of the Father, and Jeremy Calloway, Courtyard-DarBy Haas, Street Fair-Ag Night

August 17th: Band-Bonepony, Courtyard-Strait Laced, Street Fair-Date Night

August 24th: Band-Louisville Crashers, Courtyard-Woodabenz, Street Fair-Grand Opening of Smothers Park*

August 31th: Band-Velvet Bombers, Gospel on the River-Crossmen Quartet, The Greesons, and Firm Foundation, Courtyard-Jubalson, Street Fair-Brescia Bash

September 7th: Band-Rigbys, Courtyard-Andy Brasher & Guests, Street Fair-Pet Night

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