New Ulm celebrates Fasching, Bock Fest

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- As the sun dipped all too quickly behind the roof-line of August Schell's home, Ted Marti paused a few moments to reflect on the organization of the 18th annual Bock Fest that had just ended at the August Schell Brewing Co. brewery Saturday.

Meanwhile, at Turner Hall, the Fasching action featuring the Concord Singers and Leon Olson's and Peter and Paul Wendinger's bands was just reaching the halfway point of a 12-hour program which ended at 11 p.m.

Marti thought a moment and said, "We were a little better prepared for the crowds. We made some changes (from last year), and I think that helped. We moved the bonfire and the food trailer out of here (the brewery parking lot) and that made more room."

As Marti, who is the brewery's president and a descendant of the German brewer who started the brewery 144 years ago, talked hundreds of people, primarily young and middle-aged streamed past the museum and the brew house, as well as about two dozen portable biffies, enroute to their cars near South Park and beyond.

"We managed the space better, but I have no idea how many people we had here today," Marti added.

However, he was a little disappointed that only two of the seven Bock Fest Winter Solstice adult medallions had been found. Those medallions, along with three Kid Medallions, were hidden along the edge of adjoining Flandrau State Park land.

"I didn't think it would be that difficult to find them. Last year, six of the seven were found," he said.

This year, the January medallion was found by Tom Schmitz, the park's assistant manager, and Dave Enright of Spencer, Iowa, found the March medallion. Not found were the November, December, February, King and Queen medallions.

Jackie Firth of New Ulm found two of the three kids' medallions.

With the thermometer pushing 40 degrees, the crowd stood in the main parking lot, drinking beer, listening to Bock Fest Boys' music and, basically soaking up the sun.

In creating a carnival atmosphere, decorators had ringed Turner Hall's upper level dining room with dozens of theatrical masks and caricatures. Off to the side, in the bar area, partiers could eat their way through pork hocks, sauerkraut, German potato salad, landjaegers and hot beef commercials, with apple strudel for dessert.

Meanwhile, the Concord Singers rotated with the two bands, with the Concords doing four performances and Leon Olson and Peter & Paul Wendinger two performances each.

On the lower level, there were several crafts booths. One which was operated by Kathy Covington of New Ulm, featured New Ulm 150th Anniversary stoneware plates, steins and coffee mugs.

The earthen-toned plates are sold only in square shadow boxes while the blue-background plates, steins and mugs are sold separately.

Adding to the festival spirit, a costume parade was held with prizes for the best costumes. The first place award went to an anonymous couple dressed as polka icons Peter and Paul Wendinger. Second place went to the 2004 AARP King and Queen, sponsored by Viagra, who turned out to be Dick and Becky Wilbrecht Third place went to a couple dressed as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.