Bock Fest, Fasching set Saturday in New Ulm

By FRITZ BUSCH and

KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- "Zicke! Zacke! Zicke! Zacke! Heu! Heu! Heu!"

Get your beer caramelized for a warm, frothy head with a hot poker, take a swig, cheer and hoist it towards the sky.

Chase away the winter blues indoors and outdoors Saturday in New Ulm.

The 14th Annual Bock Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Schell's Brewery and Flandrau State Park. Fasching, a German Mardi Gras, runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Turner Hall.

Bock Fest

Thousands of festival-goers will sing, dance and hoist a cheer to the coming of spring at one of the Midwest's most authentic German celebrations.

Schell's Brewmaster Ted Marti said the weather will be perfect. The forecast called for daytime temperatures in the 30s and snow flurries.

Bockfest at the brewery will include a variety of Schell's beers and non-alcoholic beverages, foot-stomping music and food like bratwurst, kraut, soups, cheese, bread sticks, sausages, and more.

Festgoers will gather around bonfires, take brewery tours, browse through the Museum of Brewing, learn about the history of Schell's beer, taste test and visit the Schell's gift shop.

The focus of the day for many will be the Bock Medallion Hunt in nearby Flandrau State Park. Bocks, goats, are the ancient symbol of winter -- stubborn and gruff.

Bock hunters will use clues to help find the bocks or goat medallions and winter will end quickly. Medallion finders will get cash and merchandise prizes.

The Warren "Schmaltz" Marti Parade will cut through the brewery grounds.

Schell's is one four regional brewers that still produce Bock beer. The others are all in Wisconsin -- Huber Brewery in Monroe, Point Brewery in Stevens Point, and Leinenkugel Brewery in Chippewa Falls.

Valid IDs are required for all beer purchases.

Fasching

The Concord Singers will present the Festival of Fasching Saturday at Turner Hall.

Fasching originated in the European Alps to chase away the winter.

The event runs 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., offering continuous entertainment.

The Concord Singers will perform at 1 p.m., in the late afternoon and in the early evening.

The Bruce Bradley Band will play most of the afternoon, and Peter and Paul Wendinger will provide evening music.

Another highlight of the evening will be the Parade of Costumes. Anyone who shows up with a full body costume will be eligible for a door prize. In addition, winners will receive prizes from the Holiday Inn and Turner Hall.

Turner Hall will serve food and drink throughout the day.

Tickets are $5 if bought in advance and $6 at the door. Tickets are available from any Concord Singer, the Heritagefest office or the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce.

German Beer quote of the week according to beer city on the Internet:

"German immigrants didn't give up their beer, they just made New Ulm famous and Milwaukee jealous."