DAWSON — The community festival is back this week, and organizers say lots of people are taking part in the celebration.

Some of this year’s Riverfest events have grown, said Terry Overlander, of the Dawson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dawson’s 39th annual Riverfest kicked off Wednesday night and continues through Sunday. Overlander said the participation for events like the Riverfest softball tournaments and vendor fair were up this year.

“Our car show is going to be big, too,” he said.

The festival will have something for everyone, Overlander said. One of the new events this year is just for teens. A free dance is planned for tonight, featuring live music from local band The Stitches.

“They’re kind of popular around here,” Overlander said.

A focus on community is also a big part of Riverfest. On Friday evening, community members will recognize an outstanding senior citizen, as well as unveiling a new gnome sculpture honoring two Dawson community members. This year’s honorees will be Dan and Luanne Fondell.

“They brought a lot to Dawson,” especially when it came to the arts, Overlander said.

Dan Fondell was involved with a variety of creative endeavors, and Luanne Fondell was active with the Dawson-Boyd Arts Association.

The gnome unveiling ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Dawson’s Swimming Pool Park.

Following the ceremony, audience members can also get a chance to see a screening of a Pioneer PBS documentary featuring Dawson, Overlander said. “Minnesota’s Alt-Meat Revolution” looks at the production of plant-based protein in rural Minnesota, including at the PURIS pea protein plant near Dawson.

The whole weekend will be a busy one, Overlander said. On Saturday, events include the vendor show, which will have more than 60 vendors, and a school band fundraiser with activities for kids. A performance of the Carpenters tribute show “Rainy Days & Mondays — The music of the Carpenters,” will also be Saturday evening.

On Sunday, an ecumenical church service and an antique car and tractor show will take place before the Riverfest grand parade.

It’s been good to see Riverfest keep going strong for nearly 40 years, Overlander said.

“It kind of hung in there, and I’m glad it did,” he said.

Schedule of events

TODAY

11 a.m.-4 p.m.: LQP Co-op Oil Company root beer floats

5:30 p.m.: JMHS kids obstacle course at Dawson-Boyd High School football field. Ages 5-11, cost is $10 per participant.

6 p.m.: Riverfest kickball tournament at Prestholdt Fields

8 p.m.: Teen dance at Dawson city building parking lot, with live music from the Stitches.

FRIDAY

12:30 p.m.: Greater Community Credit Union 18-hole golf tournament

3 p.m.: Canoe races at walking bridge dock. Life jackets required.

6:30 p.m.: Gnome unveiling ceremony at Swimming Pool Park main shelter. Music by Dr. G’s Bowtie Brass at 5:45. Robotics feed and gnome donuts available 5:30-7.

7 p.m.: Co-ed slow pitch softball tournaments at Prestholdt Fields

7:30 p.m.: Showing of Pioneer PBS documentary – “Minnesota’s Alt-Meat Revolution”

7:30 p.m.: Live music at the Rusty Duck

8 p.m.: Baseball game at Nelson Field, the Drakes vs. the Appleton A’s.

SATURDAY

7:30 a.m.: JMHS Color Run at Dawson city building

8 a.m.-2 p.m.: Fishing contest on Lac qui Parle River

9 a.m.: Kids pedal pull on Main Street

9 a.m.-noon: Gnome painting on Main Street

9 a.m.: Slow pitch softball tournament at Prestholdt Fields

9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Craft, vendor and flea market at Swimming Pool Park

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Dawson-Boyd band fundraiser at Swimming Pool Park. Kids’ carnival, bounce house, bake sale, silent auction and dunk tank. Bingo 11-noon.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Gnome pull fundraiser for DB Arts Association

10 a.m.: Three-on-three basketball at Swimming Pool Park

12:30 p.m.: Gnome Flop splash competition at swimming pool

1 p.m.: The Bubbler event at Swimming Pool Park

3 p.m.: Dawson Fire Department water fights

6-9 p.m.: Live music at the Rusty Duck

7 p.m.: “Rainy Days & Mondays – The Music of the Carpenters” at Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for students.

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Hilltop dance and firemen’s raffle, featuring Whiskey Rocks

SUNDAY

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Pancake feed at Hilltop Bar & Grill. Cost is $12 per person, with children 5 and under free.

10 a.m.: Men’s slow pitch softball tournament at Prestholdt Fields

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

11 a.m.: Ecumenical church service at Veterans Park

2 p.m.: Riverfest grand parade

3-5 p.m.: Tablescape Tea at Dawson city building. Admission is $10.

3 p.m.: Golf scramble