By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
With the Defeat of Jesse James Days, the next several days bring one of the most important times of the year for non-profits in town, as many organizations host their biggest fundraisers of the year in the coming days. Treasurer of the DJJD Committee, Sandy Vesledahl, said that they estimated nearly $200,000 in donations were given during the celebration:
“There are over 40 nonprofits that use the celebration every year as their main fundraiser. The committee also hires several nonprofit organizations to work at various events throughout the weekend.” – Sandy Vesledahl, Board Treasurer of the DJJD Committee
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Vesledahl estimated that the committee spends $50,000 a year in donations to non-profit groups that help with setup, takedown, and other work during the week.
“So I think a lot of people don’t realize the impact that the celebration and the Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee has on the nonprofits and how much money is given back into the community just simply from this event.” – Sandy Vesledahl, Board Treasurer of the DJJD Committee
Below are just a few of the nearly 40 fundraisers that are a part of the celebration. Others, including the community food vendors at Bridge Square, include Corn Dogs from the Masons, Burgers from the Knights of Columbus, water during the parade sold by the Swim Team, and so much more.
We will be highlighting some more on our Facebook page during the celebration. Contact Logan@kymnradio.net to help highlight your fundraiser.
The Northfield Fire Department: Bingo & The Rubber Duck Race
Among the various groups hosting fundraisers is the Northfield Fire Department, which hosts two events. First is Bridge Square Bingo, running throughout the entire festival. Participants can buy a Bingo card for 50 cents, and the prize increases in value as the crowd grows larger.
The second event is the Rubber Duck Race, which takes place 15 minutes after the Grand Parade on Sunday. 3,000 rubber ducks are dropped into the Cannon River at the 4th Street Bridge and float down the river to the 2nd Street. 1st place receives a $1,000 prize. Duck tickets can be purchased from any Firefighter or at the Bingo tent.
Fire Chief Tom Nelson shared that the donations from the fundraiser are going to a new truck this year:
“And one of the purchases that we are making in 2025 is this new mini pumper that is going to be the new light rescue truck, as well as a first out engine for the fire department.” – Tom Nelson, Northfield Area Fire Chief on KYMN In The Morning
Donations from the Bingo and Rubber Duck Race are among the major funding streams for the new truck.
DJJD Committee: Give Cancer The Boat
Among the different groups hosting a fundraiser during the celebration is the DJJD Committee’s Give Cancer the Boat Fundraiser. Taking place during the Friday night rodeo performance, the night has led to over $60,000 being given to Northfield Hospital Cancer Unit over the years.
Galen Malecha is the General Chair of the DJJD Committee:
“We call it past the boot night so they take cowboy boots and buckets and pass them around and people if they have spare change or a few dollars in their pocket usually throw it into the boot or the bucket.” – Galen Malecha, General Chair of the DJJD Committee, KYMN News Interview
You can find rodeo tickets now at Family Fare, Northfield Automotive, or Ziggys. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 3-10; cash only when buying the tickets. Rodeo tickets are also sold 2 hours in advance at the rodeo grounds.
Northfield Rotary Club: Bike Tour
Among the groups hosting a fundraiser is the Northfield Rotary Club with their Bike Tour on Saturday morning. With several different levels of participation, including a 7am start for the 100-mile ride or a 10:45am start for the 6-mile family fun ride, there is an option for everyone. The ride starts at Bill Nelson Field in Dundas, where the Dukes play, and utilizes the many bike trails in the surrounding areas.
Rotary Club volunteers shared how the fundraiser helps support the youth exchange program that the group runs, sending out this year’s 10 students across the globe:
“And so a lot of the funds we raise help with offsetting the expenses for students for the orientation for the outgoing students and the incoming students, and also for the incoming students, some of their activity fees, and they get an allowance every month.” – Members of the Northfield Rotary Club, on KYMN In The Morning
Register for the Bike Tour on the Rotary Club’s website: https://northfieldrotary.org/page/northfield-rotary-bike-tour
Northfield History Center: Outlaw Run
Among the groups hosting events during the celebration are the Northfield History Center, which is hosting the Outlaw Run on Sunday morning. Two options are available: the 15K run or the 5K run/walk. Sean Allen, the Executive Director of the History Center, shared that donations to the History Center support the museum, which he described as one of the most important buildings in Northfield:
“It’s our most important asset as an organization and one of our most important assets as a community… Trying to maintain just an ongoing presence as a museum and keep the lights on at the same time is difficult enough.” – Sean Allen, Executive Director of the Northfield History Center on KYMN In The Morning
Northfield Veterans of Foreign Wars: Pancake Breakfast
Among the groups hosting events is the Northfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, which is hosting breakfast on Sunday of the celebration from 7:30am to 11am. While the VFW fundraises for a variety of causes to support veterans, one of their most recent projects has been providing American flags to veterans.
At breakfast, there will be pancakes, biscuits and gravy, Scrambled eggs, sausage links, breakfast potatoes, coffee, juice, and Milk. Adults are $12, children 5 to 10 are $6, and children under 4 are free.
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