It’s going to be a busy weekend in southwest Minnesota with summer festivals and special events planned in communities from Slayton to Dawson. Some of the events, like Balaton’s Fun Fest, are taking place on new dates.

Organizers of Fun Fest listened to community feedback before trying out a new, earlier weekend for the festival, said Brita Fricke. Instead of holding the festival on the July Fourth weekend, Fun Fest kicks off this Thursday.

“It’s not competing with people who want to go to the lake,” or with other July 4th events, Fricke said.

In addition to Fun Fest, this weekend will also bring Western Fest in Granite Falls, the Murray County Classic draft horse show in Slayton, and Riverfest in Dawson.

Balaton Fun Fest

To go with a new weekend, Fun Fest organizers in Balaton have put together a mix of new and returning events, so there’s something for everyone, Fricke said. The weekend starts with the Little Miss and Little Mr. Balaton program on Thursday evening, and fireworks on Friday night. Fricke said one of this year’s new events will be a “glow ball” golf tournament at the Balaton Bay Golf Course following the fireworks. “They’re going to have the golf course lit up,” Fricke said.

Saturday is a big day for Fun Fest, with kids’ events and food in Legion-Lion Park, and the return of the Fun Fest barbecue rib cookoff.

“We have about 11 teams signed up for our rib cookoff, which is more than we’ve ever had before,” she said.

The Fun Fest Grand Parade will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by events like firefighter water wars, and a street dance featuring music from “Up South.”

Sunday will wrap up Fun Fest with events like an adult beanbag tournament, a pickleball tournament, and a nine-hole best ball golf tournament.

Rodeo and traditions at Western Fest

There’s a lot of excitement planned in Granite Falls this week as the community’s Western Fest activities and the Western Fest PRCA Stampede Rodeo gear up. The PRCA rodeo will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gates will open nightly at 5:30 p.m. at the Lee Mar Ranch just outside Granite Falls.

“We’ve had record-breaking numbers of contestants coming from all over the country,” said rodeo committee member Holly Johnson-Partington. Contestants include many riders who have taken part in the National Finals Rodeo, she said. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls’ hometown rodeo pro, will also be competing during Friday night’s rodeo.

“We’re always excited about that,” Johnson-Partington said.

There’s lots of ways to enjoy Western Fest. Johnson-Partington said activities kick off today in downtown Granite Falls.

“We’re doing a ton of activities downtown,” she said, including a kids’ fishing contest and crafts, a pedal tractor pull, and the Kiddie Parade.

On Saturday afternoon, the Western Fest Grand Parade will be held downtown, followed by the Miss Western Fest Pageant at the YME Auditorium. The new 2026 Miss Western Fest and Princesses will be introduced Saturday night after the rodeo, and a street dance at the Granite Falls American Legion will bring Saturday night to a close.

Murray County Classic draft horse show

Another area summer event is also being held earlier than usual this year. The Murray County Classic draft horse show is normally held in July. But this year, the show has been moved up so as not to conflict with the World Percheron Congress event at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, said Joe Biren, one of the organizers of the Murray County Classic.

Although the date has changed, there will still be lots to see as draft horses like Clydesdales, Belgians, Percherons and Shires thunder into the arena at the Murray County Fairgrounds Friday through Sunday.

“We have 10 six-horse hitches that will be competing here, from throughout the U.S.,” Biren said.

Teams of draft horses will compete in show events, as well as in events that highlight skills used in working with horses on the farm. Another one of the fun things about the draft horse show is that it’s interactive, Biren said. Before the show, visitors can get a chance to enter the barns, and learn more about the big draft horses.

“It should be a good time,” he said.

Show times for the Murray County Classic will be at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Dawson Riverfest

The city of Dawson’s annual Riverfest celebrations are also kicking off today, with events like an appreciation lunch at Tim’s Food Pride and a baseball game between the Dawson Drakes and the Minneota Mudhens.

Riverfest runs from Wednesday through Sunday in Dawson, with a variety of events for people of all ages. A kickball tournament, pool party and kids’ obstacle course are all planned for Thursday, and at 7 p.m. Friday evening new gnomes honoring local community members will be unveiled at Dawson’s swimming pool park. This year’s honorees are Dr. Arnie Jostock and Bonnie Jostock.

In honor of America 250, fireworks will be returning to Riverfest on Friday night near R.B. Clay Field, organizers said.

Festivities will continue through the weekend, with events like an outdoor market and kids’ carnival on Saturday, and a tribute to ABBA Saturday night at Memorial Auditorium. Live music and a firemen’s dance will close out the evening. On Sunday, events will include an ecumenical worship service, and the Riverfest Grand Parade at 2 p.m.