Category Archives: VBF 2026

A message from VBF board member Jan Stevens

Why I gave the lead gift to begin the Vintage Band Festival Fund at Northfield Shares:

Early in my life I realized that I had won the lottery by being born in the United States, in the Midwest, on a farm into a strong family with unconditional love plus a deep and strong religious life. My wonderful parents were major volunteers in the church and in the community where we lived. They lived a life of generosity, kindness and love, providing an excellent template for my own life.

Newly married and employed in the Dean’s Office at the University of Illinois I was working with an older colleague who was weathering some serious family trouble. Jeanne suggested to Stan and me that we should build a memory bank into our lives, as she had done. “Celebrate everything, plan special events, travels, family events, make your own traditions. When trouble comes, and it will, you can withdraw happiness and joy from this bank to help you get through this trouble.” IT WORKS!

OK, the world is a mess. World history is war, pestilence and starvation. My graduate education is in economics, “the Dismal Science….”

However, I have made it a practice in my life to wake up every morning looking for every sparkle of joy I can find to savor! It is a good thing to do.

My 19 years of volunteer service for the Vintage Band Festival provides me with great memories and joy in spades! Everyone involved, Board members, musicians, volunteers, friends, family, audiences, townspeople and the many assorted, random folks who find themselves surprised and delighted to be here during the festival enjoys this event. Live brass music, in the open air, in this (admit it) idyllic town connect the audiences and the musicians with one another. WE ARE NOT BOWLING ALONE!

Our audiences are very inclusive and varied. You will find families and individuals of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, economic status and social classes. All are welcome here.

My great good fortune is to be able to support this event with a lead financial gift to ensure VBF continues to delight everyone in the future. I want to especially honor Paul Niemisto for his brilliant ideas, knowledge and enthusiasm and Dan Bergeson for his superb management skills and his enthusiasm. The Vintage Band Festival is a mature organization and ready to receive your charitable donation to the fund managed efficiently and prudently by the local board of Northfield Shares. This fund is separate from our yearly fundraising.

The Vintage Band Festival is a secular event that may appeal to your specific philanthropic plans. We have been a 501C3 nonprofit organization for many years, providing donors with tax advantages.

Our website, www.vintagebandfestival.org has more information or text me anytime. If you would like to donate today, click on this link https://northfieldshares.org/vintage-band-festival-agency-fund/.

WELCOME TO JOY!

Janet (Jan) Gettings Stevens

JULY 18, 2024

New VBF marketing video launch

Vintage Band Festival recently released a short video presentation in anticipation of the 20^th anniversary of the festival in 2026. Vintage Band Festival: Making Music and Memories Since 2006 combines festival history with an invitation to community members to assist in long-term financial support of the organization. Designed by the VBF Marketing Committee and produced by local actor and videographer Wendy Placko, the 10-minute show features clips from past VBF band performances and interviews with several members of the VBF board of directors.

This project was initiated by board member Jan Stevens to raise awareness of the recently established Vintage Band Festival Agency Fund for legacy giving. She makes a strong argument to current and future donors of the need for giving that goes beyond annual operational contributions to insure that the VBF tradition continues for years to come.

You can watch the video by clicking this link.

Vintage Band Festival announces 2025 and 2026 dates

The Vintage Band Festival board of directors has decided that Saturday, August 2, 2025 will be the date for VBF 2025. The festival will take place in Bridge Square Park in Downtown Northfield, MN along the banks of the Cannon River. Current plans call for a schedule on that day from 9:00 am – 10:00 pm. There will be 10-12 bands playing 45-minute sets with a short break in between performances for stage changes. Riverwalk Market Fair will share the park with Vintage Band Festival. 30-40 vendors will be onsite showcasing artisan products, fresh produce, and prepared food from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Vintage Band Festival will celebrate its 20^th anniversary in 2026. Coincidentally, 2026 is also the 250^th anniversary of the United States of America. We are hoping to do some programming that calls attention to this special date as well. Tune in to America250 for more information about this propitious celebration. Watch for periodic updates on the plans for celebrating these milestones in our local and national history.

Bridge Square Redux

Bridge Square has been the central gathering place of Northfield, Minnesota since the early days of the 20th century. Originally, it was a place to park your horse and buggy. In later days it has hosted governors, European royalty, carnival booths, political rallies and protests, and, of course, brass bands.

The City of Northfield has been planning a substantial renovation of Bridge Square in Northfield’s for several years. The sidewalks and plazas are deteriorating and the infrastructure needs to be reshaped to better accommodate the increasing numbers of people attending the annual cycle of events. It’s likely that the construction process will occur in 2025. If you’re curious about what the outcome might look like, click here for architectural renderings of the changes.

What does this mean for the Vintage Band Festival event to be held on August 2, 2025?

VBF 2025 will not be presented in Bridge Square as the reconstruction won’t be finished until later in the summer. Instead, the festival will take place in Central Park, a wonderful venue just three blocks east of Bridge Square. We have used Central Park in past years as an auxiliary location when we’ve needed a second stage.

It’s likely that in future years (beginning in 2026), whenever Vintage Band Festival is a multi-day event, the main stage will be in Central Park and the secondary venue will be Bridge Square. After the Bridge Square rehab is complete, there won’t be a space in the park large enough for the the footprint of the larger stage that’s needed.

That being said, VBF 2024 on July 26 and 27 will be staged in Bridge Square in its customary location in front of the Post Office. We hope to see you there!