On a warm, summer’s evening in Northfield, Bridge Square and the Riverwalk draw a lot of people. It is a nice place to stroll along the Cannon River, to look at the water falling over the dam, to see people fishing off the bridge, or just sitting and visiting or eating ice cream.
The log jam at the dam in Northfield.
The other night we took our ice cream treat down to Bridge Square and looked out on the river. To our surprise there was a log jam.
Another view of the messy log jam.
A couple big tree trunks were stuck in the dam and hundreds of branches and sticks have accumulated at the blockage. We’ve never seen it backed up so much.
There are always many folks fishing along Bridge Square.
It was a sight to see. Hopefully it will be cleaned up soon.
The Minnesota Explorer is a magazine that highlights different events throughout our state. Recently, it featured an article on Christmas shopping in historic small towns. I love exploring different small towns and this sparked my interest, so I did a little research. I didn’t really need to shop for anything…much of my Christmas shopping was done…but the idea of walking in and out of stores, gazing at window displays, seeing Christmas lights light up the streets, was appealing to me.
A sign outside the Northfield Library. Inside the library were some model train displays. Not as many as in the past, but still fun to see.
After checking out a couple different towns I realized all I wanted was right here in my hometown of Northfield….and…the organized Winter Walk made it even more festive.
Bridge Square at dusk, the beginning of the Winter Walk.
I love to see the white-lit Christmas tree on top of the Malt-O-Meal hot cereal building at Christmastime. When we drive into town it always welcomes me home.
The Winter Walk happened last week on a beautiful evening. The weather was mild, stores were open late, luminaires lined the closed-off main street, Christmas lights lit up Bridge square and there are some fun window displays.
The streets were filled with many folks out enjoying the activities. It was a wonderful sight.
Colorful tree on Bridge Square…Santa’s small chalet in the background.
Fun necklaces were given away, until they ran out.
Walking along the street, tasting sweet treats, drinking cider and hot chocolate, smelling the wood burning fires in fire pits – offering warmth along the way,
There were multiple fire pits along the street for people to warm themselves by a fire. The aroma of the wood burning fires added to the ambiance.
watching the horse-drawn wagons full of people go by,
One of the horse-drawn carriages.
looking in the store windows and occasionally going into a store.
A window display.
It was delightful.
Donning our Santa’s hats.
Olaf made an appearance too!
Maybe I’ll visit a different small town next year but for now, Northfield’s Winter Walk was what I was looking for.
