CARTHAGE, Mo. — Marian Days festival is set to begin this week and the Carthage Police Department is getting ready for the large crowds.

Each year the festival brings in tens of thousands to celebrate Vietnamese-American Roman Catholicism.

It will begin with Mass on July 31 at 7:30 and will continue until August 4.

Carthage Police say while they want everyone to enjoy themselves, but safety is their highest priority.

This year the Carthage Police Department and Jasper County Emergency Management will be implementing text updates and alerts for the event.

All you have to do is text ‘marian19’ to 888-777.