One of Northwest College’s marquee community events, Paint the Town Red, will return to downtown Powell a bit earlier this year.

After being held in mid-September in recent years, the sixth annual gathering is slated for Friday, Aug. 25.

Thanks in part to financial support from the City of Powell, the college has booked the Missouri-based indie-folk band Dawson Hollow to headline the event. NWC Foundation Executive Director Shelby Wetzel described the five-piece group as “bluegrassy,” saying they’ll bring “a little bit of fun to add to the mix for a big street dance and party.” A local artist will likely serve as the opener.

Paint the Town Red was launched in 2017 as a way to connect NWC students with community members. It features not only music but activities and a slew of food trucks.

“We consider this a pretty significant and important and valued community partnership these days with the city … as we welcome new students to our campus and bring them downtown to show them a little bit of the Powell community,” Wetzel told the city council June 20.

Council members provided $5,000 in the city’s upcoming budget to help pay for the entertainment. At the June meeting, they also agreed to waive $325 worth of fees and allow NWC to again have free use of The Commons.

The college plans to offer additional entertainment in the space. Last year, The Commons housed laser tag, which proved “extremely popular” with middle schoolers and other youth, Wetzel said.

Perhaps most importantly, NWC wants to have The Commons available as a “last resort” venue for Dawson Hollow, in case the weather is uncooperative and makes Plaza Diane’s outdoor stage a no-go.

“The crowds that we produce these days might have a hard time fitting in there,” Wetzel said of The Commons, “but we would make do in the meantime.”

Paint the Town Red draws hundreds of people to downtown Powell each year. NWC President Lisa Watson told council members in May that she thinks it’s been “really great” for both the college and the community.

The college will release more details as the event draws nearer.