Some people look forward to the weekend all week long. They wait for concerts, parties, sporting events and other forms of entertainment. This weekend, however, I look forward to more simple things. Enter chicken dumplings and chili.

 1. Chicken Dumpling/Chili

The People First Aktion Club of Mower County is holding an all-you-can-eat chicken dumpling and chili fundraiser at the Mower County Senior Center, 400 Third Ave. NE, from 4 to 7 p.m. this Friday. Tickets are $6 in advance or $7 at the door, and kids ages 6 to 12 are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. It’s all you can eat, folks.

 2. Wild turkeys

Next up for the weekend is a focus on turkeys. The big birds have been holding their ground in Minnesota for a long time, along with their advocates. The National Wild Turkey Federation, Longbeards chapter, is holding its 15th annual banquet, 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn, 1701 Fourth St. NW. Dinner starts at 7 p.m.

 3. Up ’til 2

The Paramount Theatre continues to roll out the performances, as well. Vocal band “Up ’til 2” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 125 Fourth Ave. NE. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door and, as always, $5 for students.

 4. Pancake breakfast

And then there were pancakes. The Knights of Columbus will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at St. Augustine’s Jennings Hall, 405 Fourth St. NW. Keep watching the calendar. There is a slew of pancake feeds on the horizon. Embrace the onset of that awful, too-many-pancakes feeling, and have another.

 5. Paint the Town Pink

The beginning of next week will be an important kickoff for Austin, as well. Paint the Town Pink starts in the city, with many local businesses offering discounts.

The Austin High School girls basketball team will hold a Paint the Gym Pink game at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2. Other events include a happy hour at Torge’s Live 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 3, AHS dance team’s annual show at Austin High School at 11 a.m. Feb. 4, Fishing for a Cure at Eastside Lake from noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 4, and of course, the Bruins’ Paint the Rink Pink at Riverside Arena at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4.

Look to Reporter Matt Peterson’s column every Friday for more about upcoming events in Austin. For even more, check out the calendar on Page 4 every day in the print edition and the AustinDailyHerald.com homepage.