Northwest College’s annual Paint the Town Red returns to downtown Powell on Friday, Aug. 25 with a full schedule of activities for all ages, including games, live music, a wide variety of food trucks, and more. The event will run from 4-10 p.m., is free and open to everyone.

Now in its sixth year, Paint the Town Red has become one of Powell’s biggest and most popular events, bringing the community and college together in a celebration of their decades-long partnership. Its late August setting coincides with the beginning of a new academic year at Northwest College and introduces new NWC students to everything the town offers while allowing them to meet area residents and business owners.

Headlining this year’s entertainment is Dawson Hollow, an American Indie-Folk-Rock band formed in 2016 by five siblings who have been writing and making music together for more than 20 years. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses the pop nostalgic string elements of Americana, and their iconic five-part blood harmonies. The group is based out of the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri, bringing a high-energy performance with lyrics that carry a hopeful undertone. Dawson Hollow has performed in more than 3,000 shows and amassed millions of streams on Spotify.

Dawson Hollow is scheduled to take the Plaza Diane stage at 6 p.m. and will be preceded by local cover band Buck Wyold. The six-man group, all of whom call the Big Horn Basin home, performs throughout northwest Wyoming and Billings and has been together for nearly 10 years. Covering a collection of popular country music acts, Buck Wyold will kick things off at Plaza Diane beginning at 5 p.m.

In addition to the musical performances, other activities include:

• Children’s face painting by the NWC Art Club

• Recreation activities by the NWC Outdoor Recreation Department

• Athletic activities featuring the Northwest College Trappers

• Laser tag

• Dunk booth

• Esports competition

• Simulators from NWC Center for Training & Development

• Balloon Animals

• Children’s petting zoo

Also, new for 2023 is a beer garden, hosted by the Northwest College Alumni Association.

Food vendors will be serving from 4-8 p.m., and many downtown restaurants will be open for those who wish to dine inside. Visitors can also receive free photo prints at the event by tagging their Instagram and Twitter posts with #PaintTheTownRedPowell.

Area residents and businesses are reminded that Bent Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between First and Third streets from 1-10 p.m.

For additional updates, visit nwc.edu/red, or follow the NWC Facebook page at @NorthwestCollegeWyo.