MARSHALL — The people who live and work in Marshall are a crucial part of the city’s success, Mayor Bob Byrnes said.

“People and families will stay if they feel welcomed in the community,” he said.

This week, the city is inviting Marshall residents to take part in a new community celebration to encourage a spirit of belonging.

The city of Marshall announced it is celebrating Welcoming Week Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the city and the Marshall Area YMCA will be teaming up to host a free event including a children’s carnival and music.

“Welcoming Week is an opportunity for our community to show how much we value each and every member’s contribution to our city,” Byrnes said.

“It is exciting to be a part of Marshall’s Welcoming Week, a nationwide celebration that addresses the importance of being a good neighbor and providing an inclusive community to our new and long-time community residents,” said Michele Knife Sterner, a member of Marshall’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission.

“From the Dakota (native American tribe) welcoming new people, to the establishment of the city of Marshall, our community has embraced and provided a home to people from all over the United States and the globe to live and call Marshall home.”

Welcoming Week is a national event that has been held since 2012 to help showcase communities working to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants and new residents. Several Minnesota communities, including Windom and Willmar, have held Welcoming Week events.

“It’s fairly new to this region,” said Amanda Beckler, community education coordinator at Marshall Community Services. Beckler and Marshall City Clerk Kyle Box said the Southwest Initiative Foundation had reached out to see if Marshall was interested in taking part in Welcoming Week.

“It was a yes from everybody,” Box said. Byrnes said there’s a “natural synergy” between the purpose of Welcoming Week and the work that the DEI Commission is doing.

The city of Marshall and the DEI Commission, together with the YMCA, will be holding a free community event with the theme of “Belonging Begins With Us.”

The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marshall Area YMCA.

Beckler said the activities Saturday will include a kids’ carnival, bucket truck rides, music and an interactive art piece.

With the Welcoming Week celebration, the farmers market and sporting events going on in town on Saturday, Byrnes said it should be another busy weekend in Marshall.