The Mumford & Sons Gentlemen of the Road concert presents a golden opportunity for Dixon to distinguish itself before 15,000 visitors. Welcome, one and all!

The big Mumford & Sons concert is nearly here, and we can't wait.

As Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane prepare to perform at Dixon's Page Park Saturday, we encourage community members to roll out the red carpet.

A pretty long carpet it will have to be, too.

An estimated 15,000 people are expected for the festivities, which begin today with a Downtown Street Festival and other activities and continue Saturday with seven bands performing in addition to Mumford & Sons, the popular British folk rock band.

We congratulate Dixon Main Street and its executive director, Josh Albrecht, for seizing the opportunity to host the concert and engaging many community organizations and residents in a wide-ranging effort to create a memorable venue.

We tip our hat to the city of Dixon for its extensive planning and commitment to the event.

We welcome the bands and their fans to the latest stop on Mumford & Sons' Gentlemen of the Road Tour.

Along with music, people will enjoy a festive atmosphere, featuring food, comedy, magic, films, fireworks and more.

The concert and festival offer the region an opportunity to put its best foot forward for thousands of visitors who otherwise may not have traveled here.

For anyone who wonders how Dixon landed the concert by the London-based band, we may have figured out why.

London has the Thames River flowing through the city; Dixon has the Rock River.

London has Big Ben; Dixon has that big clock on the side of the Lee County Courts building.

Londoners are known to utter the word "bloody"; Dixon has Bloody Gulch Road.

London was home to a famed 18th-century statesman named Burke; Dixon's 21st-century mayor bears the same name.

Yes, we're confident the band and its fans will feel right at home in the Sauk Valley.

Gentlemen, start your music!