BY SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Heritagefest's 6th Annual "Tuba Mania" Sunday afternoon packed the Edelweiss tent with people who listened to a full-hour concert of music composed for the tuba and baritone.

Approximately 80 musicians participated in Tuba Mania. People came from Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Arizona, Iowa and Ohio to play in the festival.

"I was very pleased with it," said Martin Meidl, of Lamberton who helped coordinate the event, "The participants did a good job and the audience was very receptive."

Participants in Tuba Mania most likely were people on a tuba mailing list, according to Meidl.

"We invite anybody who plays the baritone or tuba to join us," said Meidl, "We're always looking for more and new people to join us. We've had up to 90 people in the band."

The group of players got together for their one-and-only rehearsal at 11 a.m. Sunday. They performed on stage at 2:30 p.m. after they marched through the festgrounds.

Curt Iverson, Hal Nelson, Red McCleod and Charles Luedtke helped arrange the music for the concert.

"Six years ago Martin Meidl said 'Why don't we have a tuba concert at Heritagefest?'" said Heritagefest Executive Director, Leo Berg as he introduced the concert, "And today we have 80 tubas from all over ."

Berg was pleased with Tuba Mania 2000.

"It wasn't the largest-attended year, but it was one of the best shows they've done," said Berg.

Tuba music fans and other types of music fans alike, came to Heritagefest to enjoy the sounds and sights of the fest.

"It's interesting -- it's pretty good music coming out of all the tubas," said Lee Brandt, of New Ulm, "I think Heritagefest is a good thing for New Ulm."

Another New Ulm couple, Francis and Esther Schwab, of the Gibbon area, planned to go work at a stand for the Farm/City Hub Club, But when they finished that job, they would probably listen to some of the music.

"It's a nice day and it looks like people are enjoying themselves," said Francis.

"We meet all of the people we haven't seen in a while," said Esther.

Berg said things went fine for Heritagefest attendance Sunday.

"It's usually our least-attended days of the six days," said Berg, "This year has been warm, but not that uncomfortable."

Attendance lagged slight behind 1999 as of Saturday, according to festival officials.

Heritagefest opens again Friday and continues through Sunday.