Despite high humidity, downtown community dinner exceeds expectations

For the second time in five years, the community dined together downtown.

On Sunday night, more than 1,400 people sat down for shared meal during Northfield Shares A Dinner. Despite temperatures reaching 87 degrees and high humidity, there was a shared spirit of joy, participation and pride.

And, gratefully, 1,800 donated Culligan water bottles were consumed.

Northfield residents, who were seated at long tables that stretched down Division Street from Second to Fifth Streets, enjoyed the free meal sourced from local farms and prepared by area chefs. The menu included pulled pork, chicken legs, cole slaw, potato salad and a corn and vegetable salad and rice krispie treats.

Carrie Carroll, executive director of Northfield Shares, said the dinner was an amazing coordinator effort that involved over 300 volunteers. “It was incredible to see it come together after months of planning and how so many people jumped into help,” she said. “Youth from the high school, local college student athletes, and local residents who wanted to get involved and help.”

Jean Wakely said that her group of friends, which included Jayne Hager Dee, Gina Washburn and Janice Lehmkuhl, had fun talking with a new resident and her five year old daughter.

“She is one of the conductors for the Northfield Youth Choir,” said Wakely. “Then they left for rehearsal and the NYC sang on stage!”

Carroll said that Northfield Shares a Dinner was a community celebration, marking the 5th anniversary of the first dinner, 10th anniversary of Northfield Shares. The event highlighted the collaboration, volunteerism, and generosity of the community and the foundation we are creating for the future of Northfield.

“Thank you to all the hundreds of volunteers; countless hours of creativity and implementation by a fabulous steering committee,” she said. “Sponsors, donors, community partners and entertainers who donated time, talent, and products. We could not have done this without all of you.”

Wakely said her dinner companions were amazed by the speedy service, the delicious and well proportioned food, and the quite tolerable weather.

Brent and Jenny Nystrom said they very much enjoyed attending the Northfield Shares A Dinner event. "We were able to connect with people we had not seen in quite some time and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time," said Brent. "This event shows us that many people in Northfield continue to have a strong commitment to community and the power of bringing people together."

“We all took our hats off to the chef in charge and all the businesses who lent their skills to making this wonderful dinner,” she said. “We shouted out a big ‘Thank You’! I hope they heard us.”