Family Day in the Park, an annual free concert in Cooper Creek Park, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Has it changed much since the 1980s?

“It’s probably a little hotter,” said Michael Soul, program director for Davis Broadcasting, which organizes the concert. But if you haven’t been to a Family Day in the past 25 years, the first thing Soul says you should know is that it’s free.

“It’s the biggest free concert in the south,” he said.

It’s also a celebration of Black Music Month.

“That’s why we feature all those genres there -- blues, gospel, R & B,” Soul said.

Over the years, concert-goers have seen performances from up-and-coming gospel, R&B and hip hop artists before their jump to stardom, including Salt-n-Pepa, Boyz II Men and Jamie Foxx.

This year’s Family Day will feature music from gospel singers Ernest Pugh and Canton Jones, R&B group Hamilton Park and hip hop artists F.L.Y. and 2 Chainz.

Soul said they choose the artists based on the hot records and they try to showcase new artists.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary, organizers are hosting a barbecue contest, open to the public.

“We’ll crown the champion based on the ribs and the sauce,” Soul said.

Parking for the concert is available in the park and Soul encouraged families to get there early.

“It’s for our community. For people that don’t get a chance to go on a summer vacation, this is something they can bring the whole family to,” he said.