Staff photo by Fritz Busch Children dance to the polka sounds of the Deer Brand Polka Band Gen 2 on Center Street Saturday.

NEW ULM — Downtown New Ulm was bustling inside and outside as a full-blown Oktoberfest drew German-American parade participants and viewers, live music lovers, and food and beverages Saturday.

Beer sales on Center Street during the afternoon merriment was so lively, more beer had to be ordered.

“One of the advantages of having a brewery in town is you don’t have to go far for more,” said New Ulm Park & Recreation Director Tom Schmitz.

“I like way the Center Street chamber event is complimentary to Minnesota Street businesses. I think it’s a well organized, one-day event,” Schmitz said.

Saturday events began with the George Glotzbach Memorial Bicycle Ride in the German Park lower parking lot at 9 a.m. The free, 11-mile ride on all or part of the Bike Circle Route celebrated the renewal of the City of New Ulm Bicycle Friendly Bronze Level Designation by the League of American Bicyclists.

In addition, it honored the late George Glotzbach who advocated for New Ulm becoming bicycle friendly. Glotzbach donated New Ulm’s first bicycle fix-it station.

The German American Parade began near Schonlau Park and the glockenspiel, continued down Minnesota Street to Center Street.

Patrick Eckstein of New Ulm carried a parade sign denoting the family came to New Ulm in 1856.

Eckstein said his grandfather John immigrated to New Ulm from German Bohemia and farmed south of New Ulm near what is now Flandrau State Park.

“I was born here and spent the first 18 years of my life here,” said Eckstein. “I worked for Excel Energy, formerly known as Northern States Power (NSP) at power plants and building electrical substations.”

A member of the German Bohemian Heritage Society, Patrick said he and his wife Nicole lived in Minneapolis, Blaine, and Mankato before moving to New Ulm.

The parade included free cups of sauerkraut distributed by KNUJ Radio employees to parade viewers. At Center Street, Dain’s Dutchmen played polka music. Horse-drawn carriage rides were available.

A large crowd including a couple Albert Lea women who regularly attend Oktoberfest, appeared to enjoy the polka music, food and beverages. The women opted to come to New Ulm instead of attending the Big Island Rendezvous and Festival in Albert Lea that features arts, crafts, reenactments, entertainment and authentic food.

The Blue Ringers featuring Christa Bohlmann on fiddle and lead vocals, appeared to put a charge into the crowd, encouraging dancing as Bohlmann walked among the crowd, interacting with them while singing.

The Deer Brand Polka Band Gen 2 followed. A number of children danced hand in hand to polka music.

The merriment continues at 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 8 at the Best Western Plus & Green Mill. The Concord Singers take stage at 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a keg opening at 6 p.m. Sandra Lee and the Velvets finish out from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Chopper performs at the Lamplighter Sports Bar & Grill downtown from 8-11 p.m.

The Schell’s Brewery Oktoberfest with the Schell’s Hobo Band and Alpensterne, stein holding contests and other festivities continues from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the brewery.

Music at the Best Western Plus & Green Mill on Saturday includes The Concord Singers from 2-3 p.m., Leon Olson and Dain’s Dutchmen from 3:15 to 7 p.m., The Concord Singers from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and the Bockfest Boys from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.

Heide & The Good Old Boys will perform at the B&L Bar from 4 to 8 p.m.. The Hotel Blue Band will play at the Lamplighter from 8-11 p.m.

For more information, visit https://www.newulm.com

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.