Bock Fest, Fasching set Saturday weekend

Bock Fest at Schell's Brewery; Fasching at Turner

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- It's unlikely that the weather will match last year's sunny, 63-degrees at the Bock Fest and Fasching celebrations.

Weather be damned! Festgoers can still help chase Ol Man Winter away and count on a barrelful of fun Saturday at the Bock fest at Schell's Brewery and Fasching at Turner Hall.

Bock Fest

Bock Fest 2001 revelers will have a slightly different itinerary to follow on Saturday at 140-year-old August Schell Brewing Co.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the brewery. Admission is $5 per person.

Of course, the usual Schell's Bock beer; tasty German food, mit Kraut, of course; music by The Bock Fest Boys; the Medallion Hunt; bonfires; pokers; the "Schmaltz" Marti Parade; a keg full of fun and much more are on tap.

Bock Fest goers are reminded that valid identification is required for all beer purchases.

One variation is that this year, interested festgoers will view a video brewery tour rather than take the tour on foot.

The Great Bock Hunt will take place in adjacent Flandrau State Park.

Prizes will be awarded for finding any of the seven Bocks, goat heads, hidden in the woods. A Bock is an ancient symbol of winter -- gruff and stubborn. Capturing the Bocks aids in bringing winter to a end quickly, according to legend.

Finding the King Bock will earn $100.

Drinks will include Schell's beers and non-alcoholic beverages.

The food menu will feature sausages, soup, cheese and breadsticks.

Other events include bonfires and a limited number of brewery tours.

Schell's Museum and Gift Shop will also be open.

Fasching

Fasching, sponsored by the Concord Singers of New Ulm and equivalent to a German Mardi Gras, features continuous entertainment from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Turner Hall.

Six different musical and dancing entertainers will perform at one-hour intervals.

The schedule includes the Albrecht Band 11 a.m. to noon, 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.; Concord Singers noon to 1 p.m., 4:45-5:45 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.; Lin Hans Rud Dancers 1-1:30 p.m.; Mexican Folklore Dancers 2:30-3 p.m.; Cansa 'Yapi Oyate Dancers 4-4:45 p.m.; Peter & Paul Wendinger Band 5:45-8:30 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. Tickets will be available for $6 at the door, $5 in advance.

The Parade of Costumes will be held from 7:30-8 p.m.

An arts and crafts festival runs from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in the lower level of Turner Hall. There will be no admission charge thanks to a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council from funds appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature.

Meanwhile, back at August Schell Brewing Co., brewmaster and president Ted Marti, a fifth-generation descendant of August Schell, is expecting another good year despite increasingly tough competition from imported and domestic beer.

"There are lots of challenges for small brewers," Marti said. "But opportunities still exist for niche brewing companies like ours. If we stick to our guns that way, we'll be alright."

Marti said company will remain primarily in the midwestern United States and add one new product each year.

A possible addition is Radler, a lemonade and beer mix, in bottles and cans that is available on tap each year at Heritagefest. The brewery is also looking at producing apple cider.

It already produces two kinds of soft drinks, Buddy's Orange and Grape drinks and 1919 Root Beer.

The gift shop has done very well, which is a reflection of New Ulm's tourist base, Marti said.

For more Bock Fest information, visit bock fest@shellsbrewery.com