In 2010, the Defeat of Jesse James Days Bank Raid Re-enactment was held in English, Spanish and was interpreted for the hearing impaired. This year’s raid was held in English and featured an expanded American Sign Language interpretation. A Spanish version, however, was not part of this year’s event. Once several Northfield community members realized the absence of a Spanish translation from this year’s celebration, the DJJD Committee received dozens of emails questioning why. “There are so many Hispanic people in Northfield,” Christopher Tassava, a Northfield resident, told Northfield Patch…

Editor's note: The following is a statement from the Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee concerning inquiries it received after a Spanish interpretation for the bank raid re-enactment was left out of this year's celebration after being added in 2010. Look for a full story from Northfield Patch soon. We have received some inquiries regarding a Spanish Interpretation for the DJJD Raid Re-enactment. In 2010, we attempted to deliver two special interpreted raids; one for the hearing impaired and one in Spanish. The ASL interpretation for the hearing impaired went so well we were able to expand …

Northfield Patch is sad to see this year's Defeat of Jesse James Days come to a close. It's a year-round effort by a great group of dedicated volunteers. It's an annual event of epic proportions—it's not just a fair, festival or community gathering. It truly is an event in the grandest way. Use this page to look back at all of our coverage from this year's DJJD action on Bridge Square to the happenings at the Jesse James Arena. Sept. 23What Happened—And Will Happen—With the DJJD Spanish-Translated Bank Raid Re-enactment Sept. 21DJJD Committee Responds to Inquiries About Absence of Spanish …

They don't make them like they used to, as many people would say about today's model of automobiles. From Detroit to Stuttgard, Ford to Chevrolet, the hood ornaments and emblems on the cars of yesteryear at the annual Defeat of Jesse James Day car show on Saturday reveal a time when more attention and detail was paid to the making of a car. If you were unable to make it to Riverside Lions Park on Saturday—or even if you did—sit back and enjoy a glimpse at another era courtesy of the Sundowner Car Club show.

About 125 volunteers were hard at work Saturday so bicyclists could participate in the Jesse James Bike Tour, a fundraiser of the Northfield Rotary Club. After riders registered, they departed the Northfield Middle School starting at 6:30 a.m. Some bicyclists rode in groups, their colorful jerseys brightening the somewhat foggy morning as they pedaled together. Other cyclists rode solo or in pairs. Cyclists rode one of five routes—10, 30, 45, 60 or 100 miles. Three of the five traveled through Sogn Valley where cyclists were treated to some of the most spectacular views in the area. Every 15 …

Roman Kopp didn’t know how to react a few Septembers ago when he heard horse neighs coming from the secluded property he owns behind his house on North Water Street. So, he hiked down a wooden embankment toward the Cannon River to see who—or what—was the source of noise. He discovered a makeshift horse corral and a man in old-time cowboy garb carrying a pistol. “He came up to me and asked me if I needed help,” Kopp said. “So, I said to him, “If I find horses on my property, do I get to own them?’” Receiving no answer, Kopp was directed to a small group of men, all in similar 1870s-era dress…

Feel the power. Saturday night of Defeat of Jesse James Days brought out plenty of fans out to Division Street between Bridge Square and Fifth Street to cheer on Sneaky Pete's Garden Tractor Pull.

Jess Radtke, a longtime Raider for the James-Younger Gang Bank Raid Re-enactment, took a spill at the beginning of Sunday's Defeat of Jesse James Days Grand Parade near Northfield High School when his horse slipped on the pavement. The fall to the ground chipped a bone in Radtke's left wrist, broke his right shin bone and dislocated a toe, he told the Northfield News. After the fall, the horse immediately sprung to its feet; Radtke also got up under his own power and was quickly ushered off the street. The horse was not injured, nor does Radtke blame the horse, he told the newspaper.

Dozens of people gathered together Friday night on Division Street near Bridge Square to test out their dancing skills and, maybe even more so, their listening skills. The participants took calls in square dancing—and later the Macarena—for a festive Defeat of Jesse James Days evening.

Dozens of people gathered together Friday night on Division Street near Bridge Square to test out their dancing skills and, maybe even more so, their listening skills. The participants took calls in square dancing—and later the Macarena—for a festive Defeat of Jesse James Days evening.

Carnival rides, games and food vendors dotted Ames Park for the duration of Defeat of Jesse James Days, and there's no doubt many Northfielders and visitors to the city made use of all three. Day or night, the rides were packed with screaming and smiling folks.

Runners from ages 3 to older than 70 ran in Sunday's Defeat of Jesse James Days 5K and 15K Run/Walk. In its 32nd year, the race attracted several hundred participants, according to race director Bill Bleckwehl. Members of the National Guard's 434th Chemical Company, which is based in Northfield, assisted with crowd control and logistics; many members of the guard also ran in the race. Another large contingent of participants in the race were workers at Faribault Foods, which had more than 70 employees run or walk the course as part of a company-wide health initiative. Taylor Hennegan, 21, of …

This weekend the rubber met the road—dirt road, that is. As part of Defeat of Jesse James Days, the 39th annual tractor pull took place Saturday at Jesse James Arena displaying tractors from the past.

Northfield had a perfect late-summer day on Sunday for the annual Defeat of Jesse James Days Grand Parade. More than 140 entries participated as the parade moved north on Division Street from Northfield High School to the Northfield Public Library. Also be sure to check out photos from the parade.

Northfield had a perfect late-summer day on Sunday for the annual Defeat of Jesse James Days Grand Parade. More than 140 entries participated as the parade moved north on Division Street from Northfield High School to the Northfield Public Library. Also be sure to check out video from the parade.

Under a sunny sky, two teams went back—way back—on Saturday in a vintage base ball game (yes, two words). At Old Memorial Park, the Northfield Silverstars took on the St. Croix Base Ball Club in 1870 base ball rules, more than appropriate for the Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration, which recalls the failed bank raid attempt by the James-Younger Gang in 1876. In the end, the Silverstars dominated the visiting club 17-3.

Under a sunny sky, two teams went back—way back—on Saturday in a vintage base ball game (yes, two words). At Old Memorial Park, the Northfield Silverstars took on the St. Croix Base Ball Club in 1870 base ball rules, more than appropriate for the Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration, which recalls the failed bank raid attempt by the James-Younger Gang in 1876. In the end, the Silverstars dominated the visiting club 17-3.

Yes, the Riverfront Arts Festival has a half-century of success under its belt. But it welcomes newcomers into the fold, too. Take, for instance, Kathy Melton of Sarona, WI, which is about 150 miles northeast of Northfield. She and her husband, Frank, produce jewelry from handmade glass beads she creates in a Plexiglas and wood booth next to their exhibit tent. The Meltons are displaying and selling their goods at the Northfield Arts Guild-sponsored festival for the first time this year. “We do a lot of fairs in northern Minnesota,” said Kathy Melton, as she took a break from molding pea-…

Kids, adults and pets took to Division Street on Saturday morning for the annual Defeat of Jesse James Days Kiddie Parade, which ran from Econofoods to the Northfield Public Library. The weather was perfect for the kiddies, who dressed as cowboys, cowgirls and an array of other creatures.

More than 40 drivers took to the streets of Northfield on Saturday for the inaugural Defeat of Jesse James Days soap box derby race. A new event to this year's DJJD, Committee Member Danny Ayotte said that the success of this year's race in terms of driver and spectator turnout leaves little mystery if there'll be another race next year. Each racer was guaranteed two races, which were lined up by age and weight. One class was for drivers from 7 to 15 years old and another class was for 16 and older. This year, drivers were stations at St. John's Lutheran Church. The course started at Plum …