Bonfire goers share warmth of the season

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Walking down the festively lit sidewalk to German Park Saturday evening anyone could tell the spirit of Christmas was definitely in the air in New Ulm.

The third annual bonfire in German Park drew a good-sized crowd in German Park Saturday. The event was sponsored by the New Ulm Business and Retail Association which has put on the bonfire every year since it began.

"The purpose is the continuation of the St. Nick's tradition that began last week, and also to use German Park," said Tom Hobt, who is a member of the Christmas Committee for the New Ulm Business and Retail Association, "We've always had excellent weather for this."

The St. Nick tradition goes that all the good little boys and girls would get goodies if they were good and only sticks if they were naughty. The bonfire is made with all of the sticks Santa did not have to use.

"The bigger the bonfire the better," said Hobt, "We're happy to report there were a lot of sticks."

The New Ulm Business and Retail Association served cider, cookies, popcorn and gluhwein to everyone.

The sidewalk was lit with brilliantly colored 300 luminaries made in art classes by elementary children from all of three of the New Ulm school systems.

The bags were colored and waxed then filled with sand on the bottom and a white candle inside.

"What a neat thing to happen (the children to make luminaries)," said Hobt, "It involves more people in this and adds to the beauty of the scene. They (luminaries) are fabulous, they did a great job."

A choir singing holiday songs entertained the crowds around the bonfire.

"It's gone over really well," said Eric Jensen of the New Ulm Retail and Business Association, "We've had very big crowds."

During the bonfire a horse-drawn wagon lit with Christmas lights passed by the park with a sign wishing everyone a merry Christmas.