Ethan Hoppe, teacher and wrestling coach at Marshall Public Schools, plunged into a dunk tank after a child hit the target Monday evening. Activities like a dunk tank and a chalk art contest were part of Welcoming Week celebrations at Justice Park on Monday. Other Welcoming Week events included a youth soccer tournament Tuesday, and bus tours this evening.

MARSHALL — Their goal was to build community – but also to have fun. At the kick-off of Welcoming Week in Marshall, local kids and families had a chance to enjoy food and music, play games and more.

“It’s really neat for me to see everyone come out and have a good time,” said Jasmine DeSmet, community education coordinator for Marshall Community Services. On Monday evening, hundreds of people came to Justice Park for Welcoming Week events.

“We topped last year’s attendance,” DeSmet said. More than 400 people checked in at the event, which included attractions like trucks from the Marshall Fire Department and Marshall Municipal Utilities, a chalk art contest, and a dunk tank with representatives from Marshall Public Schools and the Marshall Police Department.

DeSmet said Welcoming Week also served as a chance to bring together families from different cultures in the community, and share information about local support resources.

“Welcoming Week is actually a statewide program, that creates a space for people to gather, regardless of differences,” she said. The theme of this year’s Welcoming Week is “The Stories We Share.” As part of Welcoming Week, the Marshall-Lyon County Library is featuring a special story on its story walk, and additional events were planned, like a youth soccer tournament on Tuesday.

This evening, community members will have a chance to take bus tours to learn about the Marshall community and recent developments in the city. DeSmet said tours will leave from Justice Park at 5 p.m. and around 6 p.m.

“It’s been a really fun opportunity to involve all the different aspects of the community,” DeSmet said of Welcoming Week.