Dunk tanks, frisbee, hula hoops...

Flandrau Fest draws sun worshiping crowds

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The "Music Machine" played oldies on the beach while a large crowd of sun worshippers turned out in swimsuits, splashed in the water and lay in the sand for the 12th Annual Flandrau Fest 2000 Saturday at Flandrau State Park.

The Friends of Flandrau estimated over a thousand people were at the park during the festival that included a wide variety of events including a dunk tank, ring toss, sand sculpture, hula hoop, limber and Frisbee-throwing contests, basketball throw, water balloon cage, rubber duck race, and hunts for beach balls and medallions.

Arts, crafts and tubing was also part of the fare.

Contest registrations were nearly double last year, 207 this year, compared to 115 in 1999.

Visitors represented 25 cities, compared to 17 last year.

Over 1,000 people attended the event, according to Friends of Flandrau President Floyd Alwin of New Ulm.

"The weather was perfect for this type of event," Alwin said. "You want it warm. We used to do this event early in June but sometimes, it was too cool."

Alwin said the event used to be called the Flandrau Beach Party, but since New Ulm is known for its fests, the name of the event was changed and expanded.

Carol Alwin said participants were waiting for the fest to start at 9:30 a.m. Contest registration began at 10 a.m. Events concluded at 4 p.m.

Jesse Vogel won a $50 savings bond for finding the medallion.

Flandrau Fest prize winners:

Sand sculpture: Matthew and Michael DeGroot, Andrew and Brian Crossman, Dani Jo, Gerae and Isaiah Stack, Anni Sweeney, Jami, Dorene and Rachel Tucker, and Kris Pollack.

Rubber duck race: Christopher Henkes, Sebastian and Oliver Bierman, Deanna Forry, Calvin Nephew.

Ring toss: Ben Neyers, Brenda Knapp, Jenna Thedens, Nicki Bueckner and Rachel Darge.

Soccer goal kick: Andrew and Tom Wendinger, Ashley Pope.

Pool race: Stephanie Bierman, Spencer and Scott Zabinski, Heather and Jesse Vogel, Nate Zins, Tom Wendinger and Phil Hauge.

Croquet shoot: Lance Wilson, Sadie Hauge, Zack Peterson and LeAnn Booth.

Hula hoop: Jessie Gomer, Gustina Osborne, Latasha Booth and Jean Kiecker.

Limbo: Erin Byer, Erin Gronholz, Stefanie Peterson and Jesse Vogel.

Medallion hunt: Jesse Vogel.