Northfield offers a variety of outdoor activities for all ages and is bursting with vibrant culture, esteemed academics, celebrated arts, progressive technology and a cherished history.
The focal point of the community is its historic downtown district, located along the scenic Cannon River. Its bustling downtown is filled with shops, services, restaurants and more. On summer evenings, many people gather at Bridge Square, in the heart of the city, for concerts, markets and other community events. The community is recognized for its active arts programs and events throughout the year. Each September, the community hosts the Defeat of Jesse James Days. This year’s event is Sept. 8-12.
Celebrate and show support of the Latino community at the annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration, hosted by the Northfield Public Library, on Sept. 18 from 11am to 6 pm at Central Park. Attendees can experience the richness, vibrancy and diversity of Hispanic heritage and learn Latin dances, create art and discover the power of words. Library staff is providing in-depth programming on Latino history and culture throughout September and October. Full details at mynpl.org/events.
Northfield offers a variety of outdoor activities for all ages and is bursting with vibrant culture, esteemed academics, celebrated arts, progressive technology and a cherished history.
The focal point of the community is its historic downtown district, located along the scenic Cannon River. Its bustling downtown is filled with shops, services, restaurants and more. On summer evenings, many people gather at Bridge Square, in the heart of the city, for concerts, markets and other community events. The community is recognized for its active arts programs and events throughout the year. Each September, the community hosts the Defeat of Jesse James Days. This year’s event is Sept. 8-12.
If you want to kick back and relax, we have some fabulous breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries in the area. The Northfield Municipal Liquor Store features a generous selection of fine wines and spirits, with a friendly and knowledgeable staff to assist all customers. Profits from the liquor store directly support public services and projects. Stay tuned for more information on “4-Way Taste Festival,” a September event sponsored by the store and Northfield Rotary.
Northfield offers many ways to enjoy an active lifestyle. The city maintains more than 35 parks and open spaces, pedestrian paths, paved and unpaved bicycle trails, an ice arena and an outdoor pool.
Old Memorial Pool is open through Aug. 29. Located at 801 7th St. E., staff is ready to serve you. A variety of pool amenities is available for all ages. Visit ci.northfield.mn.us/swim.
Host your next get-together at one of Northfield’s many parks. We have shelters at four parks available to rent for private events such as weddings, family reunions or picnics: ci.northfield.mn.us/rentpark.
Northfield is place where artists thrive. “The arts are an integral part of Northfield,” says Mayor Rhonda Pownell. “It lets us celebrate and connect with each other, share our different experiences and ideas.
Since 2011, the Northfield Arts and Culture Commission in partnership with the Friends and Foundation of the Library has hosted a Sidewalk Poetry contest. Winning poems can be found in more than 260 locations. Use the interactive sidewalk poetry app to see and hear the poems: ci.northfield.mn.us/poetry.
Five artists will spend the summer and fall of 2021 implementing their creative placemaking projects in downtown Northfield. One installation will feature 3D self-portraits and birds moving among 3D trees and culminate in an accessible and inclusive community event and exhibit at the Brick Oven Bakery. Another project will feature a free-standing, three-dimensional, mosaicked open frame placed along the Riverwalk area. Another features painted replicas of children’s book spines (with titles crowdsourced from the community) on the 16 steps going up to the Northfield Public Library. Another project features a mobile screen printing workshop that will pop-up in downtown Northfield and engage the public in creating a screen printed tea towel of a beloved family recipe or treasured words of wisdom from a loved one. The final project includes a series of workshops and installations of large, performative drawings focusing on the freshwater drum fish and the Ames Mill Dam, cultivating a dialogue on adaptability, resilience and inclusion of our interspecies communities. View selected artists and their projects sponsored by the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation at nddc.org/aoms.
Enjoy the murals added to the four underpasses of the roundabout at Highway 246 and Jefferson Parkway. Twin Cities-based artist Adam Turman’s artwork depicts four ecologies near Northfield – the Cannon River, Nerstrand Big Woods, Oak Savannah and prairie.
As you walk through downtown, be sure to check out the current Young Sculpture’s Project called “Douglas” located in front of the Northfield Public Library. The sculpture is made of welded steel rod and poured aluminum. It was completed during the school year by 15 high school student artists, an established Minnesota sculptor and a college art apprentice.
If you want to watch events or create your own videos, you can with Northfield Public Broadcasting. Submit your recording of fun, informational, educational work to NPB at npb.ci.northfield.mn.us
Spread the word and share your fun experiences on social media with the hashtag #ThisIsNorthfield.
