Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes guests from the Vintage Band Festival: Joy Riggs, Jan Stevens, Randy Ferguson, and Brian Borovsky. This year’s festival (July 30 – August 2, 2026) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the annual Northfield, Minnesota tradition. The roster of bands will include ensembles from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Washington D.C., Florida and Europe.
Vintage Band Festival
Thursday 30 July 2026 – Sunday 2 August 2026
There will be two stages at VBF 2026, the main stage in Bridge Square and a second stage in Central Park. Performances on Thursday and Friday will be in Bridge Square and performances on Saturday and Sunday will take place in both locations. Find the complete roster of bands and the schedule for both stages at www.vintagebandfestival.org.
Vintage Band Festival, a four-day festival every three years, provides a joyful, fun, and family-friendly atmosphere with eclectic brass music played by bands from all over the world. Audiences of all ages get to enjoy the beautiful city of Northfield at both outdoor and indoor venues and experience the musical and historical legacy that Northfield has been able to cultivate. Other nearby cities are featured as well. Music and history lovers alike will be engaged by the exceptional and out of the ordinary music experience and emphasis on historical music, dress, dance, and ambience.
Music and Democracy: Living History in America
Friday 31 July from 9:45AM until 2PM
Central Park in downtown Northfield
Free and family-friendly event!
View the schedule:
The United States is 250 years old and the music of the nation has changed often during those years. The program will chronicle highlights of those historical and musical eras. It will include spoken word actors including Theodore Roosevelt, reenactor brass bands in period dress, a Dakota drum group and singers and a folk singing duo. The event include food and drink vendors, non-profit organizations tables, face-painting and make-your-own art booth and an all-ages bicycle parade around the park.
11:30 Northfield Suffragist Singers: Women’s Right to Vote Movement
Northfield Suffragist Chorus, a newly formed group of local women will join us to revive the songs of the suffragists once more.
1PM Bicycle Parade Children who wish to participate in the bicycle parade are invited to decorate their bikes at 12PM prior to the event if they would like to. Decorating is not required! Decorating supplies will be provided.
