Bockfest brings huge crowd

Gate estimated

at 4,700

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- It was a Bockfest to remember for nearly 5,000 salubrious visitors that enjoyed 40-degree temperatures, live music, German chants and ample ale Saturday at Schell's Brewery.

For the first time in five years, the Queen bock was found. Russell Wiltscheck and Scott Scheid -- both of New Ulm -- retrieved it. Vance Donner of New Ulm found the King bock.

The Bockfest Boys of New Ulm made music as the crowd danced, drank and hugged each other. In between songs like Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," which seemed to go on and on and on, the band fired up the crowd even more with a few boisterous rounds of the usual "zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, heu, heu, heu" chant.

The festival was the venue for a family reunion for the Boelters of New Ulm. It was a poignant moment for the Boelter brothers -- Bryce of Faribault and Bryan of St. Cloud -- and their sister Kim Hoscheit of New Ulm.

Bryce was particularly thrilled to be back home in pleasant weather and good company. Bockfest is an annual event on the family calender.

"We've had warm and cold Bockfests. It was 70 degrees several years ago. Regardless, it's always a wonderful party," Bryce said. "Schell's Brewery does a great job putting this on, without fail. It's become an institution. It's wonderful for the brewery and the community. What a beautiful day today."

Recently laid off from his job with the City of Northfield, the event made Bryce Boelter realize the value of family and good friends and New Ulm, for that matter.

"There's nothing like family and good friends. I miss New Ulm a lot. I may wind up back here," Bryce said. "Everybody comes together, makes new friends and enjoys it."

Bryan Boelter, who manages a health club in St. Cloud, says Bockfest is a time to see the family, old high school friends and enjoy one of his favorite festivals in Minnesota.

"It's the greatest venue in New Ulm, just a great weekend," Bryan Boelter said. "It's such a fun time, I'm already looking forward to next year."

Bev and Cal Schreyer of New Ulm and their friends Linda and Craig Anderson of Courtland displayed their homemade hats made of -- among other things -- Schell's beer cartons.

The Schreyer's returned home from a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico at 3 a.m. Saturday, got a little sleep and came to the brewery.

"Mazatlan was nice and warm, with temperatures in the 80s but it was pretty quiet compared to this," Cal Schreyer said. "It's more exciting here, by far.