GRAND RAPIDS, MI - After 23 years, the blues are leaving the mall.

Blues on the Mall, a series of free weekly concerts produced by Cumulus Media radio station 97WLAV at Rosa Parks Circle each summer, will become the 97LAV Summertime Blues Series and be held at the DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Ave. NW.

The concert series began over two decades ago at the Monroe Mall Amphitheater, now called Rosa Parks Circle, during a time before the reopening of Monroe Center to vehicle traffic and the construction for the Grand Rapids Art Museum. It has hosted blues musicians like Walter Trout, Tommy Castro, and Ana Popovic.

Cumulus Media Grand Rapids Marketing Director Marcus Bradman offered three reasons for the move, including free parking, alcohol sales and the uncertainty of weather.

"People can finally have a beer," Bradman said. "We have heard for years the desire of those coming to the shows to be able to purchase a beer."

Bradman mentioned the difficulties the local motorcycle community, which has been a big part of the event, has had in finding parking after the construction of the art museum. The bikers normally congregate in the parking lot of The B.O.B., which is a city block away from the music.

With ample and free parking at the arena, he feels the bikers will be able to enjoy the concerts with everyone else. And rain outs will no longer be an issue as the concerts can be held inside in case of bad weather.

"Last year, when we held one of our concerts at Fifth Third Ballpark, it really opened our eyes to the potential of offering the public what they were asking for," Bradman continued. "The ability to purchase beer and have the bikes near the show made for a better experience."

Guests will be able to purchase food at each event from a variety of vendors plus enjoy other activities including car and motorcycle shows. NASCAR simulators are being planned each week throughout the series.

"We hate to lose them and maybe someday we can have them back," Grand Rapids Special Events Coordinator Todd Tofferi said. "We've had an excellent relationship with Marcus and his crew, as they have been great at putting on these events. We continue to work closely with them for the annual New Year's Eve event."

Tofferi agreed that the indoor facility would help with the "inevitable rainouts" and added that logistics would become simpler as some services and amenities previously required to come from the radio station may come built in with an arena.

"An indoor facility is something the city cannot offer and this gives them the flexibility to run the concerts without having to worry about the weather."

Tofferi added that budgets have shrunk over the years and there are many more events in the city clamoring for sponsorship dollars. While Cumulus Media partnered with the city to receive a discounted rate, the station still had to pay for police overtime, closing Monroe Center Avenue, hooding meters and more.

Orion Construction, a local contracting company, will replace Budweiser as the presenting sponsor of the new series.

The 2015 97LAV Summertime Blues Series is slated for 7 dates from June 17 - August 12 and will feature Michigan favorite Walter Trout. The second week of the series will have the concert partnering with the second annual Freedom Cruise before taking a two week break.

Here is the full schedule:

June 17 - Jarekus Singleton

June 24 - Wayne Baker Brooks

July 15 - Larry McCray Band

July 22 - Nick Moss

July 29 - Scott Bratcher

August 5 - Big James and the Chicago Playboys

August 12 - Walter Trout

Each concert is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. More information is at www.97lav.com.

Todd Chance is the West Michigan Entertainment Concierge for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at tchance@mlive.com or follow him on Facebook , Twitter, Google Plus