By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
During the Saturday bank raid reenactment, Steve Grove made a special appearance as J.S. Allen, the hardware store owner, raised the alarm about the raid and said the famous words, “Get Your Guns, Boys They’re Robbing the Bank.” Grove, a Northfield native, is famous for previously serving in Governor Tim Walz’s cabinet as the state’s commissioner of employment and economic development and is currently the CEO and Publisher of the Star Tribune. Grove described being in the raid reenactment as a “Childhood dream.”
“Oh, this is like a childhood dream come true. I grew up watching this thing every year, like everybody did and it’s so fun! The group does such a great job with it. It’s so accurate and thoughtful, and it’s gotten better over the years to get to actually be in it was so cool.” – Steve Grove
(Left Picture: Grove (right) struggles with one of the raiders during the Saturday 3pm bank raid reenactment. Picture from Aramis Wells/Flashover Photography)
The Defeat of Jesse James Days is Minnesota’s third-largest celebration. From the start on Wednesday with the memorial service for Joseph Lee Heywood, there have been 3 rodeos, 6 different band performances (not including the ones at each of the different restaurants), a horseshoe hunt, 28 hours of Bridge Square Bingo, countless different deep fried foods, 8 Bank Raid Reanacments, a soup box derby race, and one Grand Parade and a Rubber Duck Race to name just a few of the many different events.
We have several pictures from the celebration on our website and Facebook page from KYMN’s News Director Logan Wells and friend of KYMN Aramis Wells of Flashover Photography. Defeat of Jesse James Days 2025 will start on September 4th, which is just 360 days away.
