Vintage Band Music Festival

Vintage Band Festival celebrates music and history

Vintage Band Festival celebrates brass and wind band music of many genres in outdoor settings throughout the community of Northfield, Minnesota. Festivals are produced in alternating single day and multiple day formats.

Since 2006, Vintage Band Festival has brought music, showmanship, history and delight to tens of thousands of people from all over the United States and, indeed, the world. More than 2,000 musicians have shared their talents and their stories in the process. Your generous financial contribution will help insure that Vintage Band Festival will continue to entertain and educate music lovers for another ten years.

Following Vintage Band Festival #3 in August 2013, one of the musicians sent the following letter to the Northfield News, our local newspaper. We think it's important to note that the musicians (most of whom are amateurs and volunteers) enjoy the festival as much as the audiences.

To the Editor:

"I wanted to express my deepest appreciation to Paul Niemisto, for his dedication and personal commitment to create and organize the 2013 Vintage Band Festival. I am a fife and piccolo player with the Frontier Brigade Band based in Colleyville, Texas, and your Vintage Band Festival offered me an experience I can never forget. The little town of Northfield was a welcomed slice of Americana. I felt pulled back into a more relaxed, peaceful time where people enjoy the outdoors, socialize with neighbors and honor the arts. To be surrounded by such incredible talent was an awesome experience. I have a stronger appreciation for all the time and hard work these bands have sacrificed to keep a piece of our history alive.

Mr. Niemisto has touched the lives of so many with a dream of bringing music into the lives of Americans today. I cannot think of a legacy more worthwhile and which affects so many. Unfortunately so many American values today are frugal and inconsequential. Most people do not see the worth of history or music, but the Vintage Band Festival gave them an experience and the opportunity to develop a sense of gratitude to our history and an appreciation for the music of that time. What a precious gift!

I am thankful to you and the welcoming town of Northfield for allowing me the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform before such a gracious crowd. We were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic and warm spectators at each and every venue.

I hope the state of Minnesota and the town of Northfield recognizes the worth of this Vintage Band Festival and embraces the history and tradition of music for our children’s children.

Above all the festival exposes the fact that any age can play and enjoy music, from the youngest baby sitting and swaying to the music to the 80-year old trumpet player performing. Once again I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to Paul Niemisto and the town of Northfield for hosting such a unique musical event that helps to preserve our heritage."

Shannon L. Needleman, Frontier Brigade Band

Why Vintage Band Festival? Why Northfield?

In this short video, Artistic Director Paul Niemisto talks about the value of Vintage Band Festival to the local community:

  

SAVE THESE DATES 

The next 1-day Vintage Band Festival will take place August 2, 2025.

Please follow Vintage Band Festival on Facebook or at vintagebandfestival.org for updates.

Tuba Christmas in Northfield, presented by Vintage Band Festival, takes place the first Saturday in December each year. 

For more information, photos, and videos visit http://www.vintagebandfestival.org .