The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is certainly a sight to behold, with the streets lined with vendors and thousands of people milling about town. But the ears can also partake in the festivities as dozens of bands take the stage on Allen Street, the Shell stage on the Old Main lawn and even in the auditoriums on campus. Here's the low-down on some of the great music acts that will be performing throughout the four-day festival.

Thursday:

JR & Natalie Band

For lead singer and guitarist JR Mangan of the JR & Natalie Band, there's something about the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts that keeps him coming back.

"It's just the whole feel of the Festival," said Mangan, who is playing his 22nd Arts Festival. "I'll get the chance to play for people that used to come to see me years ago at the bars, but now have kids of their own."

Performing on the Allen Street Stage at 5 p.m. Thursday, the band promises a performance that includes a strong mix of "all the familiar" country and classic rock covers, from Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty to a few 80s hits. Four to five originals will also be thrown in the mix, Mangan said.

The festival, Mangan added, gives the band an opportunity to play outside its usual venue of Café 210 West, 210 W. College Ave.

Taking the stage with Mangan this year will be former Penn State field hockey star and female vocalist Natalie Berrena, as well as long-time members guitarist Mark Toci and bassist James Miller, and the new -- but "seasoned pro" -- drummer, John Lynch.

"Between this and the [Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic] Dance Marathon, it's one of our gigs we look most forward to playing," Mangan said.

Lao Tizer Band

Billboard-topping musician Lao Tizer, who was nominated "Best New Artist of the Year" at the National Smooth Jazz Awards in April, prefers to describe his sound as "contemporary world meets Latin meets funk."

The 8 p.m. performance on Thursday in the Schwab Auditorium will be the Lao Tizer Band's debut performance in State College.

"I'm just 29, and there's not many young jazz artists on the scene, so I think I can relate to a wide audience," Tizer said. "Melodically [our sound is] strong, and we incorporate a lot of improv. It definitely bridges the gaps."

Audience members can expect to hear sets off Tizer's two latest albums Diversify and Golden Soul, in addition to one or two piano solos and more surprises along the way.

While the band has only had a couple of shows on university grounds before, Tizer said it is one thing the group is most excited about. He added the "classic setting" of the Schwab Auditorium should prove to be a fun alternative to an outdoor performance.

Friday:

Phyrst Phamily Band

Penn State President Graham Spanier will be making an appearance at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of Arts and bringing some tunes to State College in the process.

Spanier, who plays the washboard, will make a guest appearance with the five-piece Phyrst Phamily Band, a staple of Irish bar the Phyrst, 111 1/2 E. Beaver Ave. The band will play a repertoire of old favorites at 11 p.m. on the Shell stage, said banjo player Jennifer Hesketh.

"It's very much family music, so people just bring their kids and have a ball," she said.

Fans should stick around for the ever-popular "Unicorn Song," the "Hokey Pokey," a polka medley and a variety of Penn State fight songs, Hesketh said, adding the fight songs especially entertain alumni.

"We really enjoy the kind of response we get from the audience," she said. "It's great for us to see old friends."

Lemonsoul:

The band Lemonsoul will offer what band member Dan Vidmar called "a lot of danceable songs" on Friday night.

The band will bring its sound from its usual venue -- State College local bars -- to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts at 10 p.m. on Allen St.

"We've played Arts Fest the last two years, and it's always been one of the best shows," Vidmar said.

He added the band looks forward to a different, slightly younger crowd than what it usually gets in State College bars. The all-student, five-piece "folk, world-beat, reggae, blues, jazz and Latin" band will also play a variety of cover songs, Vidmar said.

"We're one of the few bands where we're all still at Penn State," he said. "We can sort of relate to the audience in that way."

Saturday:

Velveeta

Named after a brand of cheese, Velveeta will bring '80s rock to the Old Main lawn.

It will be the band's third year performing in State College, and Brent Martin, keyboardist and guitarist, said it is the highlight of the band's year to play the festival.

"It's a unique experience, there's really nothing quite like it -- it's so different from what we usually do," Martin said.

Playing at an outdoor venue is a great opportunity for Velveeta because it gives the band a chance to play for an audience of all ages because the band usually performs in the bars downtown, Martin said.

Velveeta's music focuses on '80s rock, dance and pop.

"We try to make our shows really energetic and try to get everyone to have a good time," he said.

Sunday:

Summit City Saints

Though the Fourth of July is over, be prepared to grab an American flag and enjoy some patriotic tunes when going to see the Summit City Saints.

"We hand out American flags to everyone in the audience," said Fred Lynn, trumpet player for the band.

He added the band will be decked out in red, white and blue.

The eight-member band specializes in Dixieland, Lynn said.

"Our music is really enjoyed by all ages," he said. "It's very upbeat."

All of the members of the band are from Centre County, and they have been playing the Arts Festival for several years, Lynn said.

Lynn attended State College High School and graduated from Penn State. He formed the band in Summit City in Fort Wayne, Ind., but moved back to State College about 12 years ago. Lynn has been playing around the area ever since.