Northwest College’s annual Paint the Town Red returns to downtown Powell on Friday, Sept. 16 with a full schedule of activities for all ages, including interactive games, live music, a wide variety of food trucks, and more. The event will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is open to everyone.

Now in its fifth 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. It also serves to introduce new NWC students to everything the town offers while allowing them to meet area residents and business owners.

Headlining this year’s entertainment is country music performing artists Calvin and the Coal Cars. Based in Red Lodge, Calvin and the Coal Cars came together in the spring of 2018, and just one year later were honored at the Magic City Music Awards with the “Country Act of the Year” and “New Band of the Year” awards. In their relatively short time together, the band has shared the stage with such national touring acts as Asleep at the Wheel, Mark Chestnutt, Tracy Byrd, Whitney Morgan and the 78’s, and Sawyer Brown.

Serving as opening act for Calvin and the Coal Cars is Emma and The Ledge, sixth-generation Montana sisters whose original songs and eclectic mix of covers span multiple genres including blues, alternative, rock and folk music. Their own independent style is woven together utilizing a mix of acoustic and electric guitars for a sound that is luminous and atmospheric yet energizing enough to bring an audience to its feet.

Emma and the Ledge is scheduled to take the stage from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with Calvin and the Coal Cars performing from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In addition to the musical performances, other activities include:

• Children’s face painting by the NWC Art Club

• Test your balancing skills on a slackline with the NWC Outdoor Recreation department

• Basketball contests with prizes and other athletic games

• Laser tag

• Dunk booth

• Esports competition

• CDL and ambulance simulators

• Balloon animals

• Children’s petting zoo

Food vendors will be serving from 4-8 p.m., and many downtown restaurants will also 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 #PaintTheTownRed.

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