Mild weather draws crowd to second week of Heritagefest

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Threatening rain clouds in the early afternoon broke by mid-day as fest goers took advantage of the mild temperatures and light winds on Friday for the opening of the second weekend of the 26th annual Heritagefest.

"You couldn't ask for nicer weather for this event," John Rothschild of Minneapolis said. "It seems like a nice crowd in attendance. It is an enjoyable event."

Although attendance figures from the first week are not available at this time, one Heritagefest official said that attendance seemed higher than it was last weekend, with a somewhat younger crowd.

"It is good to see younger people attending these events, because it means our heritage will not die," Steffan Miller of Davenport, Iowa said. "I might bring my grandchildren next year, or take them to one of the other towns that have similar celebrations. I like the New Ulm one better, though. It's much more lively."

Children of all ages were taking part in activities at Kinderfest, with programs designed specifically for them. Kinderfest features everything from performances by the Sister Cities German Camp group to performances by the New Ulm Park and Recreation Department's puppet wagon and children's theatre.

"I like seeing the scary people (the Narren)," six-year-old Christopher Wilfahrt of Cambria said. "They tried to get me to dance with them, but I was too scared."

Today's events include performances by the Twin Cities Bag Pipe Band. They will hold a mini parade around the fest grounds at 6 p.m., followed by a performance at the Wintergarten Variety Tent at 7:15 p.m. They will also perform a walk through at the Rosen and Edelweiss tents between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

"Bagpipes always have a haunting type of music that seems to make people pause and listen," Executive Director Leo Berg said. "We are fortunate to have the group at Heritagefest this year. Pipe music is always real popular."

Other events include various demonstrations at the arts and crafts building, a photography exhibit, the opening of the festkeg, a magician, a juggler, and a demonstration by the New Ulm Battery.

Those attending the festival can also enjoy a wide variety of authentic German foods, enjoy a free taste of Schell's beer, or sample the world's oldest beer, Weinhenstephaner, the official beer of Heritagefest 2000.