Special events in

celebration of city's

150th anniversary

start Thursday

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- With both New Ulm's 150th Anniversary celebration and the 2004 Brown County Free Fair running this week, there will be more than enough action for almost anyone.

The anniversary celebration events schedule is designed to complement the fair's activities schedule, not conflict with it, said Ron Fleischmann, 150th Anniversary Committee chair.

"It just seemed to be a natural thing to do, to have it during fair week," Fleischmann said.

"In fact, the two events join forces on Sunday when it's Schell's Day honoring New Ulm's 150th anniversary.

Wednesday and Thursday

The anniversary celebration starts with an early evening schedule Thursday of a reception and book signing session at the Brown County Historical Society Museum from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and decoration of the Heritage Tree at 7:15 p.m.

Meanwhile, the fair, which officially opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday despite having 4-H judging events on Tuesday and Wednesday, rolls out its first ever-popular Demolition Derby on Wednesday night. Then, it comes back on Thursday night with its Midwest Supercross Championship grandstand show starting at 7 p.m.

Friday

While the BCHS exhibition, "New Ulm German Oasis in America: 150 years of Growth and Prosperity," is available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, other anniversary events are confined to a 2 p.m.-7:30 p.m. time period.

Historic city tours will be conducted from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and starting at 4 p.m., there's the community picnic in German Park with musical performances by Salty Dogs and Schell's Hobo Band, followed by dedication of the German Park Pergola at 6 p.m. and the Menagerie musical group's reunion starting at 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the fair's grandstand event, Triple B Pro Rodeo, starts at 7 p.m.

Saturday

A full day's activities greet those partaking of anniversary celebration events on Saturday. Only the Founders Banquet at 6 p.m. conflicts with the fair's second Demolition Derby, starting at 7 p.m.

Sunday

Sunday finds anniversary events shifting to the fairgrounds and Riverside Park, for the most part. There's the community pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., put on by the Hub Club and Lions Club with proceeds going into the Hermann Monument Restoration Fund. Die Walder Messe (The Forester Mass) will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, starting at 10 a.m., featuring songs of praise that originated 900 years ago in the Bavarian Forest.

Then, the third and final Celebrity Autograph Charity Auction begins immediately following the breakfast at the fairgrounds with the silent auction featuring 135 items. Later, the live auction with its 30 items starts at the same location.

Meanwhile, out at Riverside Park, starting at 1 p.m., a musical program will begin, featuring New Ulm Municipal Band playing the 1812 Overture accompanied by 11 cannons from four states, brought together by the New Ulm Battery. The program will close with the presentation of Amazing Grace with Taps as a tribute to all American soldiers who have died in war.

Finally, there will be a concert on the campus of Martin Luther College at 7 p.m., featuring the Marine Reserve Band.

More detailed information about the 150th Anniversary celebration activities can be found on the committee's website: www.newulm150th.com.