The New Ulm Battery marked the Independence Day celebrations in New Ulm with the firing of their cannon — mad as thunder — during the Riverside Park Independence Day celebration Wednesday.

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Bryce Stenzel, delivered the Gettysburg Address before the Battery commenced firing.

The Battery synchronized the firing of the cannon with the music performed by the New Ulm Municipal Band. Earlier, the Original German Band played polka music as the scent of grilled burgers and hotdogs from the New Ulm American Legion’s concession stand wafted over the band’s position.

On Thursday, crowds flocked to Turner Hall Park for the annual Independence Day Celebration in New Ulm. By noon, several hundred people parked their camping chairs in front of the truck trailer stages where the Wendinger Band and the Schell’s Hobo Band performed.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonMembers of New Ulm’s Original German Band play their instruments during a performance Wednesday at the July 3rd Riverside Park Independence Day Celebration.

Jenne Kretsch, a member of the Turner Ladies, said this year’s celebration saw a “record crowd” of people showing up to the park. Compared to last year’s celebration, which experienced inclement weather, more people showed up to the park than she can remember.

The celebration also featured free 1919 root beer donated by Duane and Cleo Bohne. The Bohnes also donated the pies for the Turner Ladies pie social and helped sponsor the bands.

Thursday also marked the Bohnes’ 60th wedding anniversary, and Turner Hall Executive Director Andrea Boettger said the Bohnes wanted to make the occasion unique.

“They just wanted to do something special,” she said. “So they came to us and said ‘we’re really interested in helping out.'”

Boettger said the Bohnes donated not only the 1919 root beer and pie, but also sponsored the bands that played at the celebration.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonMembers of New Ulm’s Original German Band play their instruments during a performance Wednesday at the July 3rd Riverside Park Independence Day Celebration.

“They really wanted it to be a party and celebration,” she said. “Their donation helped to make that happen.”

The free holiday concert in Turner Hall Park is an annual tradition dating back to the early 1970s.

Gage Cureton can be emailed at gcureton@nujournal.com.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonMembers of New Ulm’s Original German Band play their instruments during a performance Wednesday at the July 3rd Riverside Park Independence Day Celebration.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonPresident Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Bryce Stenzel, delivers the Gettysburg Address before the New Ulm Battery commences firing their cannon at the July 3rd Riverside Park Independence Day Celebration.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonJon Gohr, a member of New Ulm American Legion Post 132, grills hotdogs and burgers at the legion’s food stand Wednesday at the July 3rd Riverside Park Independence Day Celebration.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonFlames belch out the barrel of the New Ulm Battery’s cannon Wednesday at the July 3rd Riverside Park Independence Day Celebration. The New Ulm Battery synchronized their cannon fire with the music of the New Ulm Municipal Band.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonFlames belch out the barrel of the New Ulm Battery’s cannon Wednesday at the July 3rd Riverside Park Independence Day Celebration. The New Ulm Battery synchronized their cannon fire with the music of the New Ulm Municipal Band.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonA member of the New Ulm Battery stands at attention after firing the cannon Wednesday during the July 3rd Riverside Park Independence Day Celebration. The New Ulm Battery synchronized their cannon fire with the music of the New Ulm Municipal Band.

Staff photo by Steve Muscatello The skies above Cambria exploded with color during the fireworks display Wednesday.

Staff photo by Steve Muscatello The skies above Cambria exploded with color during the fireworks display Wednesday.

Staff photo by Steve Muscatello The skies above Cambria exploded with color during the fireworks display Wednesday.

Staff photo by Steve Muscatello The skies above Cambria exploded with color during the fireworks display Wednesday.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonThe Wendinger Band plays during the Fourth of July at Turner Park celebration Thursday.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonA person lifts a tray of strudels off a cart Thursday during the Fourth of July at Turner Park celebration.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonMike Simon, of the Wendinger Band, plays the trumpet Thursday. during the band’s performance at the Fourth of July at Turner Park celebration.

Staff photo by Gage Cureton Members of the Schell’s Hobo Band play their instruments Thursday during the Fourth of July at Turner Park celebration.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonA family listens to the Wendinger Band play during the Fourth of July at Turner Park celebration Thursday.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonPeople line up for burgers, hotdogs and struedels during the Fourth of July at Turner Park celebration Thursday.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonCleo Bohne smiles as Turner Hall Executive Director Andrea Boettger presents her and her husband, Duane, with a cake to thank them for their donation of 1919 root beer, pies for the Turner Ladies pie social and sponsorship of the bands that played for the Fourth of July at Turner Park celebration. Thursday was also the Bohnes’ 60th wedding anniversary.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonAndrea Boettger, left, Turner Hall Executive Director, and Terry Sveine, right, publicly thank Duane and Cleo Bohne for their donation of 1919 root beer, pies for the Turner Ladies pie social and sponsorship of the bands that played for the Fourth of July at Turner Park celebration.

Staff photo by Gage CuretonDaniel Beranek, right, and a person who wished to remain anonymous, left, grill brats and hamburgers for the Fourth of July at Turner Park concession stand Thursday. “I’m not supposed to be here,” the anonymous person said.