Oktoberfest roars to life again
German-American parade at 11 a.m. today
Oktoberfest-goers dance with The Narren at the Best Western Plus Friday.
The Concord Singers make merry with music, singing and dancing as Oktoberfest roared to life at the Best Western Plus Friday. Music continues at the Best Western Plus 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Oktoberfest-goers dance with The Narren at the Best Western Plus Friday.
The Concord Singers make merry with music, singing and dancing as Oktoberfest roared to life at the Best Western Plus Friday. Music continues at the Best Western Plus 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
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NEW ULM -- After a scaled-down event last year due to pandemic restrictions, Oktoberfest roared back to life at the Best Western Plus Friday night.
"It's a very nice turnout for being a very condensed version in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Best Western Plus General Manager Erin Lafferty. "We've got a full house with lots of food. It's going really well. We're happy and excited to have this."
Lafferty said guests came from North and South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and other states.
"We've got plenty of great food and beverages. Everyone is welcome," Lafferty said.
New Ulm native Peggy Sudheimer of Hutchinson was working at her 27th Oktoberfest at the Best Western Plus.
"I still like seeing old friends return and making new friends," Sudheimer said.
For the New Ulm Manderfelds, Oktoberfest is a family reunion with relatives coming from as far away as Oregon and Washingon State.
"I love it here. It's my hometown," said Mike Manderfeld of Richfield.
A certified public accountant, Manderfeld said he has no plans to retire.
Paul Manderfeld of Madison, Wi. talked about how some of the family wound up on the West Coast.
"My dad's oldest brother Jerome helped build the Alaskan Highway but never moved back to Minnesota," Paul Manderfeld said. "He stayed in Vancouver, Wa. I guess he liked the weather better there."
Don Manderfeld of Eden Prairie said he often returns to New Ulm for Bockfest, Bavarian Blast, Hermannfest, and Oktoberfest.
"I like the bike trail here too," Don said.
More Manderfelds are expected to come to Oktoberfest Saturday.
Music continues at the Best Western Plus Saturday with the Concord Singers at 2 and 6:30 p.m., Schell's Hobo Band 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Dain's Dutchmen, 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Green Mill patio music Saturday features Musik Meister Josh Norman from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Christa Bohlmann from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Downtown music on Center Street features Dain's Dutchmen 10 a.m. to noon, the Blue Ringers noon to 3 p.m. and the Deer Brand Polka Gen 2 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Johnny Helget and Nate Frederickson perform at the B&L Bar, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. DJ CPR follows until closing.
The Lamplighter features live music from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Morgan Creek Vineyards will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Afternoon music will be under the portico. Jazz music will be performed from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit https://www.newulm. com/
(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@
nujournal.com)