By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Tonight is the night that many in Northfield look forward to, Winter Walk, the celebration that takes over downtown Northfield, for about 5 hours.
The celebration starts promptly at 5pm with the Bridge Square tree and bridges lighting; the countdown is led by the Middle School Choir; here’s event organizer and President of the Northfield Chamber of Commerce Jane Bartho.
“It’s so fun when it works like Magic 10 down to 1 and all of a sudden boom all the trees, all the lights. The special tree the Santa House, they all go on. The bridge on 4th Street is off during that time. It takes a coordinated effort because all the the light boxes.” – Northfield Chamber President Jane Bartho on the KYMN Morning Show
Throughout the night on Bridge Square, several other events and performances will take place. The DJJD ambassadors will host a story time event at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Santa Claus will also be on Bridge Square.
Horses and Wagons will travel up and down Division Street. There will be a different wagon ride almost every block. On the 600 block of Division Street, there will be a barrel train for kids.
Of course, many businesses will be hosting their own events and deals downtown. We will posted the full list in today’s news.
Also, for kids is the library where model trains and Lego displays are featured around the library. Here is the Library Director, Natalie Draper:
“Come in from the chill, come in and see some, We’ve got music in the atrium, we have the troubadours.” – Northfield Library Director Natalie Draper
On the opposite side of Downtown, at the Armory, the Riverwalk Market Fair will be hosting a Winter Market craft fair. The fair will include curated art, baked goods, and other vendors market.
The event wraps up with fireworks in Ames Park at 8:45pm
5th Street by the Municipal Liquor Store has been reserved for handicapped parking. Division Street from 2nd Street (by KYMN Radio & the Library) to 6th Street (by Family Fare) will close today at 2pm and be closed until after Winter Walk. New this year will be a courtesy cart available downtown to pick people up and help folks get around.
The event brings thousands of people to downtown; here’s Bartho with last year’s estimation:
“We don’t have a counter of every, you know, at every intersection. Last year the weather was fantastic and so we were upwards of 5000 people. I guess what we base that number on is that the library has a counter on their doors and so they always give us their baseline of how many came in and it was over 3000 at the library.” Northfield Chamber President Jane Bartho on the KYMN Morning Show
PREVIOUS STORY (12/9): Bows, Strings, and Contentment Orchestra Set To Perform At Winter Walk
PREVIOUS STORY (12/10): Sponsors Share Why They Support Winter Walk
You can find the full schedule of events below:
