Shooting for another big weekend

2nd weekend Heritagefest events include shooting club exhibition

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A full-slate of activities and entertainment are on tap for the second weekend of the 26th annual Heritagefest, which begins at 11 a.m. today at the Brown County Fairgrounds.

Although exact numbers of attendees during the first weekend were unknown at press time, officials are happy with the attendance.

"We are about equal to last year, which was the biggest first week crowd we've seen since we changed to a two week celebration," Executive Director Leo Berg said. "Attendance and revenue are right on target."

The weather forecast for the weekend shows cool temperatures and very little chance for precipitation, which is ideal weather for the event, Berg said.

"It was warm last weekend, but not intolerable," he said. "We had very little criticism last week. Everything worked well for us. The weather the week before helped us a lot too, because it made set up more pleasant than if it had been hot and humid. Good weather is important for the volunteers."

Officials are expecting a good crowd this weekend, because of the parade on Sunday, the performance of the Twin Cities Bag Pipe Band, and the fact that many people hold reunions on the second weekend, Berg said.

Events scheduled for this weekend include a performance by a new attraction at this year's Heritagefest, the 1st Frankfurter Boellerschutzen, which is a shooting club from Frankfurt, Germany.

The group was founded in 1903 and has performed at many celebrations throughout Germany.

A boeller is a type of gun that have calibers more than one inch in diameter. the black powder load per shot is one ounce. No projectiles are used in the demonstration.

There are two types of boellers. The hand boeller, similar to a revolver, and the shaft boeller, similar to a rifle. Both types will be used in their demonstration.

There are over 300 shooting clubs in Germany dating back 250 years, when they were became an important part of weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations.

The guns have always been treated with an expression of respect and pleasure, never being used for war.

They will perform Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the grandstand; and at 6 p.m. at the Bayerwald area, in conjunction with the New Ulm Battery. They will also hold a demonstration at 3:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday at the grandstand; and 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday at the grandstand.

Another exciting feature of the weekend is a performance by the Austrian band known as Musikverein Herborn-Seelbach, which is the largest band to perform at Heritagefest in the past few years, Berg said.

The band, which has existed for over 20 years, produces a variety of music with its 30 members, ranging in age from 10-33. The group was formed in 1978 because of excitement for a common musical interest.

They perform Friday in the Rosen Tent at 12:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; and in the Bayerwald Open Air Tent at 4:45 p.m. On Saturday, they perform in the Rosen tent at 9:45 p.m.; in the Edelweiss tent at 5:15 p.m.; and in the Bayerwald tent at 1:15 p.m. On Sunday, they perform in the Rosen tent at 8 p.m.; and in the Bayerwald tent at 4:30 p.m.

Other events throughout the weekend include performances by Slowenische Sterne of Slovenia; the Molly's of Tucson, Ariz.; Die Reinrassign of Austria; the Concord Singers of New Ulm; Don Klossner of New Ulm; Rauschberg Bavarian Band; Wendinger Band of New Ulm; New Ulm Youth Orchestra; and the Menagerie of New Ulm.

Menagerie, which will be making its last Heritagefest appearance under founder and director Bob Wirtz, who is retiring after this year, sings at 7:15 p.m. tonight at the Bayerwald Open Air Stage.

There is also a Kinderfest area featuring a variety of entertainment for younger children; performances by Professor Foolzum of Winneconne, Wisc.; Tuey Wilson of Faribault; the Twin Cities Bag Pipe Band; arts and crafts; and appearances by the Heritagefest narren.

Those in attendance can also sample a variety of German foods available at several booths throughout the grounds; shop for unique gifts at a Bavarian gift shop; sample a variety of Schell's beer; or enjoy the taste of the world's oldest beer, Weihenstephaner, imported from Germany.