Food, drink, music draw fest-goers

From near and far

By FRITZ BUSCH — Journal Staff Writer

By FRITZ BUSCH - Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM - The Concord Singers sang, danced and clapped Friday at the Holiday Inn as the final weekend of Oktoberfest got underway.

Fest-goers came from near and far.

The Classy Chiques Red Hat Ladies of New Ulm joined hundreds pool side.

Bob Bucholz of Sioux Falls, S.D. brought the whole family including his two-month-old grandchild.

They had a room close to the vendors and crowd.

"I really enjoy this. It's a blast. Nobody has any pre-conceived notions about anybody else. It's something you can't do everyday," said Bucholz.

"I grew up with polka music in Lake Andes, S.D. but don't hear it that often anymore. I enjoy meeting lots of different types of people too. Plus it's safe and clean," he added.

Bucholz said he and his wife have been coming to Oktoberfest for 17 years. Prior to that, his parents came to New Ulm for polka festivals.

On Saturday, the Bucholz family will visit some garage sales in the morning before going downtown to shop, listen to more polka music and tour the August Schell Brewery.

Bucholz said he enjoys the cabbage soup. He even talked his wife into making it once and said she did a great job.

His son bit into a landjaeger and held his small child.

All types of people for sure.

Four women from the St. Cloud area walked through the Holiday Inn Friday before the music began, then said they'd come back in a couple hours, dressed as "beer wenches."

Music continues with the Bockfest Boys Saturday noon at the Holiday Inn. Oktubafest starts at 2 p.m., followed by the Night Angels and Concord Singers.

The German Rivers Room at the Holiday Inn features The Little Fishermen at 1:30 p.m. followed by the Goodtime Dutchmen Polka Mass and Brian's Mississippi Valley Dutchmen.

Downtown music features the Stan Carda Como at 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and Dain's Dutchmen 2-5 p.m.

Other local attractions offer extended hours over the weekend.

For more information, call 1-877-359-2941, 1-888-463-9856 or visit www.newulm.com

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