The Bank Raid Re-Enactment

One Fateful September Day

One Small Town Fought Back

Friday 6pm & 7pm

Saturday 11am, 1, 3 & 5pm

Sunday 11am & 12:30pm

(Limited bleacher seating available for 12:30 raid)

American Sign Language Interpreted Raids: Saturday 11am, 1pm and 3pm, Sunday 11am
(for ASL, check-in at Info Booth 20 minutes before re-enactment)

Buttons required for bleacher seating – 408 Division Street

Spanish Interpretation Script is available at all raids.  Leer la versión española


The Raid Re-Enactment takes about 30 minutes to complete. There is a narrative description of the events that took place in 1876 which is promptly followed by the appearance of the James/Younger Gang and the re-enactment.

All participants in the re-enactment are volunteers and are not paid for their performances. Many of them own the authentic 1876 costumes they are wearing, while others are provided by the Northfield Historical Society. For more information, here is a historical account of the bank raid.

Note: The James/Younger Gang & defending townspeople fire guns during the performances. They will be discharging blank rounds of ammunition during the raid re-enactments. Please take necessary precautions to protect your hearing.

Bleachers are set up on Division Street across from the historic First National Bank site, where the raid re-enactment takes place. You are welcome, at no additional expense, to use the bleachers if you are wearing a current year Defeat of Jesse James Days button. Sorry, but we do not take reservations for the bleachers – First Come First Served. You can find standing room around the performance area without the button requirement.

While extreme care and precautions are taken, the DJJD Committee is not responsible for any personal injury incurred while attending this event.