We attended the 20th annual Winter Walk in Northfield last night. The downtown is festive: all lit up with white lights and Christmas decorations, different groups of carolers singing, and stores offering sweet treats.
We received a special invitation to stop in at a business in town, which is where we always start our walk, after tasting some wonderful morsels.
Next we visited Content bookstore, then checked out two new stores downtown before heading to the old Model Train exhibits, set up in our library at the end of Division Street.
We strolled back towards Bridge Square, along the closed-off street, full of cheerful folks meandering, a horse-drawn carriage, fire pits, and different music groups. We stopped at a couple other favorite stores: The Rare Pair and an antique store. They were packed with people. Depending on the weather the stores can get very crowded. It was chilly and the stores were full.
When we first arrived downtown we caught the beginning of a parade. This is a first for Northfield’s Winter Walk. For me it was too chilly to stand out to watch it go by, but we did see a couple of the entries while walking to our first stop. I enjoyed seeing the tractor decorated in Christmas lights, then we dashed inside.
Last weekend we planned to go to Faribault’s Winterfest Parade of Lights, including fireworks, but it got postponed due to weather. How ironic, the Winterfest, postponed by winter weather. HA.
That parade has been rescheduled for December 14th so hopefully it will be “warm” enough to bring our newly arrived grand-children from Africa to see it. “O, what fun…”
It sounds very festive and nostalgic. Perfect Hallmark Christmas.
It is indeed a beautiful setting.
Hallmark actually used Northfield for one of their movie settings…Love, Always.
I love the beauty of downtown Northfield. Anytime. But at Christmas, it’s even more stunning. I love how your community creates such an inviting setting.
Dress warm for the parade next Friday in Faribault.
I hope you can come to the Winter Walk sometime. It would be a good event for you to blog about…and get photos! 😉
Yes, we’ll have to see how cold it is next Friday. I hope we can attend the parade.
Valerie – I was at Winter Walk as well – amazing that I didn’t see you! Being a bit facetious as it would be hard to find anyone. What a beautiful night it was though. Loved the lit tractor! I heard one of the store owners say she thought it was the largest crowd ever! All the lights, choirs singing, krumkaka, hot apple cidar, horses going by and fire pits on the street all made the evening a bit magical. Great reading your blog!
It would have been fun to see you at the Winter Walk. Glad you came up for it. Does Wasece have any town activities around Christmas?