DEXTER — Some businesses show their appreciation for their customers by holding sales or giving away free coffee and doughnuts. Others hold free drawings and special give-aways.

In Dexter this weekend, local businesses are pulling out all the stops to show that they appreciate area residents’ efforts to shop locally with a three-day Dexter Mall-Walk Spectacular complete with carnivals, “super sales,” and events for people of all ages.

The festival is sponsored by the Dexter Merchants’ Association.

Super sidewalk sales will be offered until 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. The downtown area will be closed to traffic on Saturday to allow for many businesses to set up in that area.

Funtime Festivals will be in town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Carnival rides will be opened from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18; until 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19; and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20.

Many activities will be offered in the downtown mall area on Saturday, Sept. 19. There will be a “best-dressed zucchini contest” sponsored by Lee’s Casuals with three prize categories.

Face painting sponsored by the Wassookeag School will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the downtown. There will be a 5K road race around Lake Wassookeag sponsored by the Dexter Recreation Department at 10 a.m. and pony rides offered by Bud’s Shop ‘n Save through the alleyway at The Eastern Gazette from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bud’s also will hold a shopping cart decorating contest from 10 a.m. to noon at the store. Participants are to bring their own decorations. The first-place prize is a new bicycle.

Skowhegan Savings Bank will roll up change using their special change counter and roller. People can bring their loose change, separated, and have their coins rolled and counted free of charge.

Special events Saturday morning will include a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, serving pancakes, sausage, bacon, doughnuts, and juice.

A total cholesterol screening session will be offered during the morning at the Miller’s House.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, there will be a pet show in the downtown. A prize will be given to each participant.

Members of the Dexter Merchants’ Association sponsoring the three days of activities are Bud’s Shop ‘n Save, Dexter Kitchen and Bath, Lee’s Casual’s, Ben Franklin, Tillson True Value, Reny’s, Fleet Bank, Skowhegan Savings Bank, Vittles, Western Auto, Olmsted’s Jewelry, Perkin’s Laundry and the Dexter Cafe.

In the event of inclement weather on Saturday, cancellation of the day’s events will be announced at 9 a.m. on WDME Radio.