BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The City of Bloomington will offer free on-street parking downtown after 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights throughout July.

The program, which starts July 5, aims to support local businesses during the summer slowdown; a time when a majority of IU students leave Bloomington.

“A downtown Bloomington summer is hard to match with the lively community atmosphere when our city is out enjoying dining and the arts and entertainment,” said Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson. “By offering free parking on Friday and Saturday evenings, we hope to make it easier for people to come downtown, explore, and enjoy all that our community and local businesses have to offer.”

Mayor Thomson will also be at various downtown locations on July 5 and 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. to interact with city residents in an “informal setting.”