|
|
|
March 18, 1999
Fine weather fuels fest crowdsBY SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- A sunny 63 degrees could not keep people away from Bock Fest and Fasching celebrations held Saturday in New Ulm. Bock Fest Bock Fest at the Schell's Brewery grounds was filled with wall to wall people. The festivities started at 11 a.m. and lasted until after 4:30 p.m. "This is one in a million. We had a huge turnout," said Schell's Brewery owner Ted Marti, "I have no idea for numbers (of people), it was over 3,500 at 1 p.m. today." Marti said that every year Bock Fest grows larger regardless of the weather. The crowds listened to the Bock Fest Boys, enjoyed German foods, and also tried their luck attempting to find the seven "Bocks of Winter" (goats that symbolize gruff and stubborn) in the Annual Bock Medallion Hunt. All but two of the bocks were found in the hunt. "It's nice well-behaved crowd -- they're having fun," said Marti. What did the crowds think of Bock Fest? "It was great -- the weather was amazing," said Phyllis Gerth, of Richfield. Phyllis made the trip with her parents Royal and Beryle Gerth, also of Richfield and Kurt Kern. "We love the beer," said Kern. Pat and Bonnie Hoey, of LeCenter said this was their first time to Bock Fest. "There were a couple thousand people ..." said Pat, " The weather really made it a great time." A Bell Plaine man, Tim Standafer, said "It was fun. It was kind of crowded ... standing room only, but it was great weather." Mark Weyant of Cedar Rapids said he will be back to Bock Fest next year. "It was excellent," said Weyant, "We had a great time." Fasching Fasching, sponsored by the Concord Singers, kicked off at 11 a.m. and lasted until 11 p.m. at Turner Hall. The Concord Singers have sponsored Fasching since 1992. "It's really going nice today -- ever since noon there's been a good turnover of people," said Ernie Kretch, Concord Singer, who helps organize the Fasching festivities, "We did more extensive decorations this year." Kretch said there was approximately 800 to 900 people who attended Fasching this year. "We always figure it will be a success if we have this many," said Kretch. The bands who performed at Fasching this year were the Concord Singers, Johnny Helget, German Bohemian Singers, and the Peter Paul Wendinger Band. There was also a wide variety of arts and crafts in the lower level of Turner Hall. A parade of costumes was held at 8 p.m. and featured three winners: third prize was Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock who were Henk and Mary Exoo. The second prize was the Jolly Green Giant and the Corn Cobs, portrayed by Gerald and Karen Roepke and Audrey Brueggemeier of New Germany. First prize went to Dr. Suess and the Cat(s) in the Hat, aka Gary Klimmek and youngsters Emily and Marissa Klimmek. "We had fine food here," said Kretch, "Big pork hocks ... they were fantastic ... and dancing. It's a fun time. It takes a lot of help. Thirty people put all these decorations up in three hours." A Sauk Center woman came to Fasching for the first time this year. "I like it, we came on a bus from Sauk Center -- I think they all enjoyed it," said Verona Ripka, "I plan to come back next year."
|