Oktoberfest kicks off second week of festivities

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The Holiday Inn came alive again Friday as hundreds of people gathered for the second weekend of Oktoberfest, which continues today with a full slate of activities.

Entertaining the crowds on Friday was the Wendinger Brothers Band, the Concord Singers, and the Bavarian group known as Bayern Krawall, who will perform again today.

Bayern Krawall consists of four musicians who got together in 1997 from four different musical groups. Two of the members performed together several years ago in another band, which led them to form Bayern Krawall.

The group, consisting of three men and one woman, performs everything from folk music to country music. They have appeared on television and radio in Germany, playing Oberkrainer music and dance numbers.

One of the members of the group, Kurt Schnebinger, is a song writer who has performed in the United States with the group Wadlbeisser.

They perform today at poolside at 2 p.m., 6 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 11 p.m.

Other groups performing today in the German Rivers Room and at poolside are Marv Herzog of Frankenmuth, Mich.; the Good Time Dutchmen; Dale Dahmen and the Polka Beats; the Valley Boys; the Concord Singers; and the German Bohemian Singers. There will also be a keg opening at 8 p.m. at poolside. Festivities begin at noon and run through 1 a.m. Sunday.

Admission to all events at the Holiday Inn is $7. A variety of booths featuring German food, Schell's beer, and unique gift items from downtown merchants will also be available.

In addition to events at the Holiday Inn, the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce is hosting a downtown slate of events, featuring a wide variety of activities for people of all ages, beginning at 11 a.m. along Minnesota Street between Center Street and First North. There will be fresh cooked brats throughout the day, a beer garden, and pull tabs. At 4 p.m. there will be a drawing for a 2000 Ford Mustang convertible.

Other events feature two National Guard displays, a variety of children's games, a ring toss, a putting green, bingo, and horse drawn trolley rides.

In front of the Chamber office facing north will be a stage featuring the musical talents of the Johnny Helget Band from noon to 3 p.m. and the Marv Nissal Band from 3-6 p.m. All events will be held rain or shine.

In addition, Schell's Brewery will be holding tours every half hour starting at noon Saturday until 4 p.m. and again on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission is $2 for everyone over 12 years of age. The museum and gift shop will also be open.

At the Marktplatz Mall there will be an arts and crafts show until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tours will also be offered of the old Hauenstein Brewery site from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 at the gate. Visitors will tour the caretaker's quarters, the Moonchild Gallery; and the old beer cellar. The tour will feature historic paintings, photographs of the original brewery, and refreshments.

All attractions that have reduced hours or are normally closed after Labor Day will be open for tours throughout the weekend, with the exception of the Lind House, which is closed on Saturday.