TroyFest 2013 will kick off with a downtown party on the square at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and everyone is invited.

“There’s no better way to celebrate any event than by bringing the community together,” said Shelia Jackson, Troy director of tourism. “TroyFest is one of the area’s biggest and most celebrated arts and crafts festivals. We want to involve the community in getting this year’s TroyFest off to an exciting start.”

The Troy downtown square is a gathering place for many community events and Jackson said it is the ideal place to kick off TroyFest, which is held annually “on the square.”

“Spring is here and the weather should be ideal for an outdoor event,” she said. “The entertainment will be provided by the Troy University jazz bands under the direction of Eric Ward. Every one of the jazz bands is outstanding and we are looking forward to all that jazz.”

Jackson said that hotdogs will be available on a first-come basis and tables will be set up for those who what to spread a picnic or bring their favorite take-outs.

Three tiers of entertainment will be presented beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the “second” big band, which will play four songs, followed by the Jazz Chamber Ensemble and Jazz One.

“What you’ll hear are some of the standards like ‘My Funny Valentine’ and ‘Meditations,’” Ward said. “There will be a good mixture of old songs and new songs.”

Sam Fredricks, who directed the university’s percussion program from 1978 until 1997, will be a featured performer at the concert. He will play Buddy Rich tunes.

“Anyone who knows anything about jazz will recognize the name Buddy Rich,” Ward said. “He was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He was the world’s greatest drummer.”

The TroyFest Jazz Concert is free and open to the public.

“We invite everyone to join us downtown Tuesday for a night of fellowship and great music,” Jackson said.