Saying 'Prosit' to fall

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- It happens in New Ulm every October, as visitors come to town: the hotels fill up, the leaves start turning and the strains of polkas echo throughout the Holiday Inn.

Yep, it's Oktoberfest.

Friday evening started the fest off with all its German traditions on display. Concord Singers sang. Many, many cups of Schell's beer were consumed. And die-hard partyers gathered around their tables for laughs, food and music.

Nauheimer Dorfmusikanten, a brass band from Nauheim, Germany, led the crowd through the standards--'Ein Prosit', 'Zicke-Zacke Zicke-Zacke Heu Heu Heu' and 'Rosemunde'. Festgoers replied in traditional fashion by clogging up the dancefloor near the hotel pool.

"We're booked for both weekends," stated Rick Neumann, general manager of the Holiday Inn. "So far, things are pacing along at their normal pattern."

Like with queens and princesses past, Oktoberfest was Miss New Ulm's public debut. Since she was crowned almost one month ago, Kristen Niegebauer said she was initially a little nervous about coming to the festivities.

"I was really nervous coming in here, but I'm excited now," she said during a short break, adding that dancing with the Narren helped her overcome some anxiety and get her into the spirit of the celebration.

Cleo Bohne of New Ulm said she loves Oktoberfest because it represents her favorite time of the year, in one of her favorite towns. She and her husband have attended Oktoberfest for 15 years in a row and haven't tired of it since.

Outside, the signs of fall were also beginning to show themselves, as more leaves fell from the trees, the temperature cooled off and everyone who wasn't at Oktoberfest was eating at a restaurant downtown or cheering on New Ulm Public in its homecoming game -- which, some say, is a fall tradition in and of itself.

Neumann said he expects this coming weekend to continue the trend of out-of-towners and locals making for a full downtown and a successful Oktoberfest -- hinging somewhat on the weather and crossmarketing with the Minnesota Street shopping district.