Fest pins hopes

on sauerkraut wrestling

Event is one of new attractions

at Heritagefest

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Slap! Pow! Plop! Splat!

Take a whiff of it and clear your sinuses.

Wrestling and sauerkraut fans should take note of Heritagefest's newest event -- sauerkraut wrestling.

The fun begins at 4 p.m Friday between the Rosen and specialty beer tents in a 15x15 foot ring filled with fermented cabbage.

Local talent will take center stage with the likes of New Ulm Chamber of Commerce employees "Moon Dog" Terry "The Crusher" Sveine and Chris "The Killer" Hiller.

"Crusher" and "Killer" took a little time out from their office work Wednesday to practice a headlock and pork hock hold or two and talk wrestling.

"I am the greatest. I've never lost a sauerkraut wrestling match," announced "Killer," a 1993 Truman High School graduate who was offered a wrestling scholarship at Moorhead State University but opted to wrestle at 126 pounds at Mankato State University.

Sveine said during his high school days, he was known as "pretty boy, but due to the aging process, he's now known as the crusher."

Now that he's chubby and weak, Sveine said he'll fight dirty, using such techniques as pouring vinegar in the eyes.

"You better see him early because 'Killer' Hiller will never wrestle in New Ulm again after Saturday," Sveine said.

His tag team partner is expected to be New Ulm native Sam "The Bruiser" Raitz, who now lives in Elysian.

The welcome mat is out for more sauerkraut wrestlers, be they tag-teams or individuals. They must fill out paperwork before they tangle in the ring.

Heritagefest Executive Director Kathleen Backer said new, creative events like sauerkraut wrestling are needed to keep the event vital and attractive to younger audiences so they will continue to attend year after year.

Heritagefest is at a financial crossroads this year after three straight years of financial losses drained its surplus funds that stood at $200,000 after the 2000 festival.

Faced with the prospect of going into a financial hole, the festival board of directors began seeking sponsorships, partnerships and donations from businesses and other community groups.

The fest signed up seven festival sponsors. The New Ulm Chamber of Commerce sold two versions of bobblehead dolls last year, pledging $15,000 in sales money.

This year, the festival has nine major sponsors and added specialty events like sauerkraut wrestling, a European auto rally, Saturday, July 10; Student Friday-Teen Day, Friday, July 9; Chicken Dancing, Sunday, July 11; a regional Red Hat Society Day, Friday, July 16.

Backer said Heritagefest is trying to develop more of an audience in the 18-35 age category.

Multi-cultural programming has been added.

Artists like three-time Grammy nominee and Nashville recording artist LynnMarie bring a new dimension to accordion music with her folk, cajun, country, Tex-Mex, rock and roll and polka style.

Powerhouse, a ten-member band plays swing, modern, Motown, big band and Chicago-style music with a bass guitar, guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, trombone and saxophone.

Other recently-added fest items include the Star Search contest and a climbing wall.

Backer said she is confident a full-fledged sponsorship program can keep the festival going. The board is expected to decide on the future fate of the festival at its Nov. 25 meeting.