RUSSELL — Russell’s community festival is back this weekend, with some new events to appeal to people of all ages.

“There will be a lot of fun things all around town,” said Hilary Buchert, one of the organizers of this year’s Bandwagon Days.

The festival kicks off Friday and features two nights of rodeo events, food, a parade and a new kickball tournament on Saturday.

Buchert said both a ranch rodeo and bullriding will be back at Bandwagon Days this year, but the events will be held on different nights instead of having one long day. The Birch Coulee Ranch Rodeo, which features events that use riding and roping skills needed for cattle ranching, will start on Friday evening. On Saturday evening, the Bierema Rodeo will feature the excitement of bullriding.

There were some concerns that construction on Minnesota Highway 23, and street work in Russell, might affect Bandwagon Days.

However, Buchert said, festivalgoers will be able to get to the rodeo grounds near Highway 23 and Bandwagon Days events in Russell. Traffic will be blocked off on Highway 91, but access to the rodeo will still be clear, she said.

One brand-new event at this year’s festival is a kickball tournament that will start Saturday morning at the city ball field.

“We’ve got quite a few teams signed up, and teams can still sign up,” Buchert said Monday.

The tournament is open to all ages, and there will be prizes for winning teams, she said.

Bandwagon Days will culminate with events on Sunday like a community worship service, the annual parade, and a car show.

“We hope to have a bigger car show this year,” Buchert said.

“It should be a pretty fun weekend,” she said.

Russell Bandwagon schedule

Friday

5-6 p.m.: Birch Coulee Ranch Rodeo sign up

5-8 p.m: Kids’ inflatables at the school park

6:30 p.m: Beanbag tournament

6:30 p.m: Ranch rodeo — free admission, food and beverages available.

Saturday

9-noon: Vendor event at Russell Community Center. Coffee and rolls served by Ladies of Grace First Parish.

10 a.m.: Kids’ tractor pull — sign ups 9:30 a.m. on South Second Street by school park

10 a.m. Kickball tournament at city ball field. Sign up at 507-530-0115.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Bloody Mary bar at Russell Bar & Grill

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Kids’ inflatables at school park

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Face painting at school park

Noon: Hog roast sponsored by Russell Fire Department

Noon: Cow bingo

1-2 p.m.: Bingo

2 p.m.: Bandwagon Days and Russell Fire Department raffle drawing

5 p.m.: Bierema Rodeo bull riding and mini bull riding. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for youth. Kids age six and under are free. Food and beverages available.

8 p.m.-midnight: Dance featuring Rhino. Admission is $5.

Sunday

8-11 a.m.: Breakfast. Free will donation accepted.

9 a.m.: Community church service at Grace First Parish

10:30 a.m.-noon: Car show on South Third Street

10:30 a.m.-noon: Kids’ fishing tournament at Russell Lake parking lot

1 p.m.: Russell Bandwagon Days parade. Russell Bar & Grill opens after parade.