Hundreds hit Riverblast

Kayaks popular with kids

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Kids in kayaks and canoes, horse and buggy rides, camping next to the Minnesota river, rock and blues music, beer, sauerkraut, fried onions, a farmers market with fresh raspberries and cactus were all part of Riverblast 2004 in Riverside Park Saturday.

The day began with several dozen runners and walkers touring Riverside and Minnecon parks before the music started. Some walkers tried the new paved bicycle trailer nearby.

Several strollers reported seeing a bald eagle soaring over the river. Those that got particularly warm under the hot sun even took a dip in the water.

Young and not-so-young musicians played on stage with an improved sound system and crowd that grew as the day went on. The local veteran band "Tin Box Kings" played some longer jazz tunes as the supper hour came and went.

The music reminded Terry Sveine of New Ulm of his younger days when there were five rock and roll bands within a two-block radius of his home.

Sveine's 14-year-old sons Steve and Sam and 13-year-old Quinn Hofmann, aka "Astro Trooper," played while the "Kings" took a break.

"This event has always supported young musicians, often giving them their first time on stage, which is good," Sveine said.

On Friday night, several hundred people heard "Van Gogh's Ear" play classic rock and roll hits and "6 Mile Grove" of Rochester perform original rock and contemporary sounds.

Scott Sparlin, Executive Director of Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River (CCMR), said the event grows in many ways each year.

"We try to be laid back and let people go where they want to," Sparlin said. "When people come up to me and ask where they should set up, I say wherever you want to. We don't want to herd people like some other big public events do."

Flathead catfish were biting too, as large as 25 pounds.

State park, canoe/boating recreation area and trail maps, public water access maps, waters, hunting and fishing guides, regulations, and other educational material brochures were available.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com