Festers having a ball

Oktoberfest begins in New Ulm

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Polka enthusiasts from as far away as Aberdeen, S.D. rode buses for hours to attend Oktoberfest in New Ulm this weekend.

Semi-retired used car and truck salesman Mel Eisenbeis of Aberdeen enjoyed the music, food and dancing in New Ulm for the first time.

Mel and his girlfriend Sandy rode a bus with 38 others from the Sunshine State to the North Shore of Lake Superior, stayed at Lutsen, the Twin Cities and a large horse ranch near Jordan before reaching New Ulm.

A full-time car salesman at Aberdeen Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge for 41 years, Eisenbeis knows a little about music. He ran a five-piece dance band out of Aberdeen for many years. He still plays drums for a dance band that performs at the Aberdeen Eagles Club.

"We'll dance too yet tonight," Eisenbeis said as he sat at a table near the back of the pool side area of the Holiday Inn.

"I like old country music, waltzes, polkas, the two-step and just about any other other music," Eisenbeis said. Sandy said she liked any country western music.

The couple was impressed with the natural beauty of the New Ulm area, particularly the fall colors. Sandy enjoyed the scenery so much, she photographed it.

Joe and Harriet Hartzell of Burnsville have been coming to Oktoberfest in New Ulm for seven years.

"This is really fine. I love it down here," Joe said. "We'll eat ribs at The Kaiserhoff Saturday night after some shopping and touring in town. I like everything German here. It's friendly. What a great atmosphere."

He was particularly impressed with The Christmas Haus in downtown New Ulm.

"What a store, what selection," Joe said.

His wife isn't a big polka fan but makes the trip with him regardless.

"I come here for him," Harriet said.

Holiday Inn General Manager Rick Neumann was happy with the fact that five tour buses pulled in Friday. It was the biggest first-day crowd he's seen since he came to New Ulm two years ago.

"We're off to a great start," Neumann said.

The New Ulm Holiday Inn was recently remodeled. The only thing yet to be added is antique street lights with hanging baskets which are on order.

Work included new landscaping, antique carpeting, a hunter green roof. Historical photos are displayed throughout the facility.

The restaurant retains an old world look in one area. A community and sports theme was added to Otto's Feierhaus and Bier Stube. Award-winning Green Mill gourmet pizza was added to the restaurant menu.

"We wanted to keep the authentic look while appealing to a wide variety of age groups. We wanted to give people more and more reasons to come to the restaurant," Neumann said.

Saturday, downtown events begin at 11 a.m. on Center Street, alongside the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce building. Johnny Helget will play followed by the Marv Nissal Band at 2 p.m. Food and popcorn stands and a beer trailer will remain open until 5 p.m. Horse-drawn trolley rides will be held from noon to 4 p.m. A craft show will be held at the Markplatz Mall.

Public tours will be given at the August Schell Brewery, John Lind House, Wanda Gag House, Harkin Store, Brown County Museum, Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and Morgan Creek Winery near Cambria.

Holiday Inn pool side music begins at noon with the Valley Boys, followed by Leintal Musikanten and the Concord Singers.

The Elk River German Band begins playing at 2 p.m. in the German Rivers Room. They will be followed by the Jolly Ramblers and Leon Olsen.