MARSHALL — This weekend will be another busy one in the region, as community festivals return to Granite Falls and Dawson, and a new celebration starts up in Marshall on Sunday.

On Thursday, organizers were gearing up for the first night of the Western Fest PRCA Stampede Rodeo just outside Granite Falls. Rodeo committee member Holly Johnson said they were anticipating hundreds of spectators this weekend. But the event wasn’t only about rodeo, she said — it was a chance for the community to get together.

“We’re so excited to be back,” she said. Johnson said this year’s Western Fest Rodeo drew more than 400 participants from 26 U.S. states, as well as Canada, Australia and Brazil. Granite Falls native and champion bareback rider Tanner Aus is also coming back to town to compete, she said.

In addition to the rodeo, this weekend will be a chance to enjoy the Granite Falls community with the Grand Parade and a street dance downtown, she said.

Gates for the rodeo open at 5:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday. Johnson said tickets are available at the gate at the Lee Mar Ranch on U.S. Highway 212, or online at www.granitefallsprcarodeo.org.

Honoring veterans in Dawson

Dawson’s community festival, Riverfest, is also going on this weekend. In addition to musical events, a grand parade, and the unveiling of a gnome statue honoring community members, the Dawson area community will be honoring the memories of Col. Wayne and Audrey Moe.

Wayne and Audrey Moe both grew up in Dawson, and the couple were both in military service, said Dawson City Council member Charlie Prestholdt. Audrey served as an Army Air Corps flight nurse, and Wayne was an Army infantry combat commander in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

Before Wayne Moe died in 2015, he had said he wanted to give back to Dawson, Prestholdt said. Moe’s family approached the city with a $50,000 contribution to build a memorial in Dawson’s Veterans Park. The memorial, which will include a granite bench, a water feature and a carved sculpture, will be dedicated around 7 p.m. Friday in the park.

‘Be yourself’ at Marshall Pride

One upcoming event this weekend is new for Marshall. Area residents are holding the community’s first LGBTQ+ Pride celebration at Independence Park on Sunday.

“We have this amazing LGBTQ+ community in the Marshall area,” and this weekend’s celebration will be a way to celebrate the vibrance of the community, said Julie Walker, director of the Southwest Minnesota State University LGBTQ+ Center. For LGBTQ people, Pride events are places where “You get to feel like you can be yourself,” she said.

The Marshall Pride celebration will be from noon to 4 p.m. at Independence Park. A potluck lunch and outdoor games like scavenger hunts, capture the flag and water balloon volleyball are planned. The event will also feature guest speakers including Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes, and video messages from Sen. Tina Smith and Southwest Minnesota State University President Kumara Jayasuriya.

While communities like Sioux Falls, Brookings and Mankato have annual Pride celebrations, this will be the first held in Marshall, Walker said. The SMSU LGBTQ+ Center, the Marshall-Buffalo Ridge chapter of PFLAG, and other community organizations and businesses are sponsoring the event.

So far, Walker said, “We’ve had a really tremendous response” from community members.

Granite Falls Western Fest

Today

7:30 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo at Lee Mar Ranch — First Responder night

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Street dance and food stand at Sorlien Park

Saturday

1 p.m.: Grand parade

4:30 p.m.: Miss Western Fest pageant, YME Auxiliary Gym

7:30 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo at Lee Mar Ranch — Veterans night

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Street dance and food stand at Sorlien Park

10:15 p.m.: Introduction of 2021 Miss Western Fest and Princesses at Sorlien Park

Dawson Riverfest

Today

3:30 p.m.: Canoe races at the walking bridge dock

6 p.m.: Gnome unveiling ceremony at Riverside Park

7 p.m.: Moe Memorial dedication at Veterans Park. Keynote speaker is Brigadier Lowell E. Kruse.

7 p.m.: Slow-pitch softball tournaments at Prestholdt Fields

7:30 p.m.: Riverfest Talent Show at Riverside park

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Hilltop Bar & Grill Dance, featuring Hicktown Mafia

Saturday

7:30 a.m.: 5K Fun Run & 2 Mile Trail Walk

8 a.m.-2 p.m.: Fishing contest on LQP River

10:30 a.m.-Noon: “Where’s the Gnome” game at participating businesses

11 a.m.: Dawson trivia bingo at Dawson Bank Museum

Noon: The Dollipops children’s music show at Riverside Park

1-8 p.m.: Free swim at Aquatic Center

2 p.m.: Divas Through the Decades musical tribute show at Riverside Park

3 p.m.: Firefighter water fights at Veterans Park

8 p.m.-Midnight: Rusty Duck dance featuring Canyon Cowboys

Sunday

10 a.m.: Co-ed sand volleyball tournament at swimming pool park

10 a.m: Antique tractor, motorcycle and car show at Veterans Park

11 a.m.: Ecumenical church service at Veterans Park. Offering for Dawson Area Food Shelf.

Marshall Pride Celebration

Sunday

(All events are at Independence Park in Marshall.)

12:15 p.m.: Potluck begins

1 p.m.: Speakers and guests

1:30 p.m.: Scavenger hunt

2 p.m.: Capture the flag

3 p.m.: Water balloon volleyball