Dawson County will kick off its Thanksgiving festivities Wednesday evening.

The Alliance of Churches in Dawson County, along with Rotary Club and community volunteers, is putting together a Thanksgiving feast to be held at the Lakeview Center. Its the fifth year the community has gotten together at the Lakeview Center for the occasion.

Last year, roughly 400 people attended, Alliance of Churches President David Jordan said. We hope at least that many will attend this year.

There is no cost to attend, nor are donations requested.

This is just a means of reaching out to the community for anyone who would like to have a meal with other people, Jordan said.

Volunteers will serve the traditional Thanksgiving fare of turkey, dressing and a variety of side dishes. A bounty of desserts will also be available.

Ted Bearden and his band Crossroads will perform. Were going to do a mixture of traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel and some cover songs, Bearden said.

Bearden said playing at the dinner is a chance to give back. The community has been very supportive of us, he said. We just try to give a little back of our time and talent. We think it is such a wonderful thing the churches do to host this meal and open it to the community at no cost.

Vernon Smith, who owns the Lakeview Center and opens up the facility for the dinner at no cost, said he feels the same way. This is probably the single event I feel best about all year, Smith said. Its where you see our community come together more than any other event. You see the true spirit of this community more than any other events. You see people giving and you see people happy. You see the true personality of Dawson County.

The dinner starts at 5 p.m. Yall come eat, Jordan said.