Have You Been To This Minnesota Towns Unique Celebration?

Across America, most big cities and small towns hold annual celebrations. Typically, the celebration is named and based after something the town is known for.  

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My small hometown in Western North Carolina holds what they call the “Mountain Glory Festival” each year in early October. The leaves are normally changing and the fact the town is surrounded by mountains, the scenery can be really pretty.  

When these celebrations roll around, it’s a time for people to gather in the streets and shop, listen to music and participate in various activities. 

There are often opportunities for younger generations and visitors to learn more about the town or city and why they are holding the celebration. 

One such celebration is going on now here in Minnesota. The “Defeat of Jesse James Days” is being held in Northfield. If you’re not aware, back in 1876, the bank robbing gang known as the “James-Younger Gang” rode into town and tried to rob the Northfield National Bank.  

The gang featured notorious bank robber Jesse James and his brother Frank along with four brothers who shared the last name “Younger”.  

Until that faithful day, September 7th, 1876, no one had stopped the gang from completing a robbing they were attempting. But when the robbers rode into Northfield, the bank teller, Joseph Lee Heywood, told the robbers he couldn’t open the safe because it was one of the new “Time Lock” safes.  

The gang became frustrated, and Frank James shot Heywood in the head before trying to flee the scene. The fact was the safe was unlocked the whole time, and Heywood was the first bank teller to keep his bank from being robbed.  

The townspeople gathered and captured the Younger Brothers part of the gang, which forced Jesse James to create a new gang.  

Each year the town holds “Bank Raid Reenactments”. This year they will be held on Friday at 6pm and 7pm, Saturday at 11 and 1, and on Sunday at 11 and 12:30.  

There are also American Sign Language Interpreted Raids as well and a script which translates the event in Spanish.  

These reenactments consist of volunteer actors riding horses and firing guns. The guns of course are using blanks and not real ammunition.  

In addition to the Bank Raids, there will be carnival rides, bingo on Bridge Square, and an antique car show on Saturday from 9-3. There will also be arts and crafts for sale and a cornhole tournament as well.  

See the complete schedule here. It’s a great time to gather and celebrate some of the rich history in one Minnesota town.