By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
“Were Ready. Last minute details on somethings, but yes were ready to go”
(DJJD General Chair Galen Malcha)
The DJJD committee is gearing up for Northfeild’s biggest celebration of the year that starts this week. The celebration begins Wednesday with a memorial service for Joseph Lee Heywood at the Northfield Cemetary at noon. That evening will be the opening banquet, where Beth Berry will be presented with the Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award.
Malecha described Berry as “Someone who has been doing such great work behind the scenes for many years. The full impact of her work is often overlooked.” Berry was a guidance counselor at the Northfield School District and one of the founders of the Tackling Obstacles Raising College Hopes or TORCH Program at the High School.
(Right: Beth Berry, the 2024 recipient of the Joseph Lee Heywood Award)
The doors to the banquet open at 5pm, with the event starting at 6:30pm at Northfield Ballroom. Tickets are $30; you can reserve them online or pay at the door. The event will include a dinner, awards presentation, Auction of DJJD Buttons, and the $125 button drawing.
Thursday night starts townie night, which will have several special events for Northfield residents. The Northfield Historical Center Museum, the site of the raid on the First National Bank, will be open to the public from 5-7pm and is free and open to the public.
(Picture left: Northfield Historical Center, courtesy Northfield Historical Center)
The carnival will open at 6pm, and it is wristband night, which gets unlimited rides for that night. Those are available for purchase at Merchants Bank, Community Resource Bank, Frandsen Bank, Premier Bank, Hometown Credit Union, MGM Liquor, Family Fare, and Cake Walk for $18.
(Picture Right: 2022 Carnival, picture courtesy of Aramis Wells/Flashover Photography)
The events at Bridge Square start at 5 to 6pm. Bridge Square Bingo to support the Northfield Fire Department, meet local racing teams parked along Division Street, and the entertainment center will be open Southern Minnesota All-Stars starting at 8pm.
The first rodeo starts Friday Night with the give Cancer the Boot fundraiser for the Northfield Hospital. Two more rodeos will be on Saturday in the afternoon and evening. Tickets are available for purchase Ziggy’s, Family Fare, and Northfield Automotive. Adults’ tickets cost $25, and kids’ tickets between 3-10 are $15.
Throughout the weekend, there will be several opportunities to watch Bank Raid Re-Enactments: Friday night at 6pm and 7pm, Saturday at 11, 1, 3, and 5, and Sunday at 11 and 12:30pm. The event is free to watch but purchasing a DJJD button will get you access to the bleacher seats. Buttons are available now around town at many downtown businesses for $5, the funds support the DJJD Committee and the celebration.
The celebration wraps up with the Grand Parade at 2pm on Sunday and then the Northfield Fire and Rescue Service’s Duck race 15 minutes after the parade.
KYMN will be out at the celebration and will be posting pictures on our Facebook and Instagram pages throughout the weekend.
