Fasching a last blast before Lent

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Freezing rain and icy roads may have prevented more people from attending the annual Fasching celebration, held all day at Turner Hall, in New Ulm.

But Fasching Chairman Henk Exoo reported that the crowd that did show up for the event had a good time.

The Concord Singers have been the sponsor of Fasching for many years, Exoo said.

"Fasching is a German celebration with two purposes: the first was that lent was coming and possibly another reason was that the people declared "fasting" for religious reasons ... it was easier on the food supply," said Exoo.

The French started their "Mardi Gras" meaning "Fat Tuesday," right before Ash Wednesday, said Exoo.

"The Germans did it, too, and they called it Fasching," said Exoo, "In other parts of Germany it was called Fasnacht or Karneval."

Part of the German tradition of Fasching or Karneval was to wear the heavy Narren wooden masks, Exoo said.

This year's Fasching celebration began at 11 a.m. at Turner Hall and it featured continuous entertainment acts, arts and crafts, German and American food, dancing and also a parade of costumes.

"The past couple of years we've tried to give Fasching a more international flavor," said Exoo.

Acts such as the Lin Hans Rud Dancers (Norwegian Folk Dancing and Singing), Mexican Folklore Dancers (a dance group from the Sleepy Eye area), and the Cansa 'Yapi Oyate Dancers (a Dakota Native American family of performers) were all scheduled to entertain at the event.

Due to the weather conditions, most of the Mexican Folklore dancers could not make it to Fasching to perform.

The Albrecht Band, which played an eclectic mix of music, was able to fill in some of the entertainment time, Exoo said.

"We're really impressed with the Albrecht Band," said Exoo.

Other groups scheduled to perform at Fasching this year included, The Concord Singers and the Peter & Paul Wendinger Band.

A South Minneapolis couple, Ruthie VanDyke and Dick George, who attended the event for the first time this year, said they heard advertisements for Fasching and decided to make the journey despite the weather.

"It wasn't bad at all," said Ruthie VanDyke, "It's really fun."

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Prairie Lake Regional Arts Council from funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature.