The festival is a celebration that marks the anniversary of the real Hermann’s victory against the Romans in the Teutoburg Forest.

Each year begins with musical performances in Hermann Heights Park next to the Hermann Monument. This year begins with a performance from Dain’s Dutchmen, followed by Leon Olsen’s Band and The Concord Singers.

The event is put on every year by the Hermann Monument Society. HMS president Tom Furth said the organization was the only community nonprofit that sole purpose was to help maintain a piece of city property. The Hermann Monument belongs to the city of New Ulm, and this year the community learned the monument would need extensive restoration.

Furth said basically everything below the statue of Hermann would need to be replaced. The plan is to disassemble the monument to create a blueprint to allow the reconstruction of the monument.

Photo by Clay Schuldt At dusk, fireworks were launched from Hermann Heights Park, illuminated the monument for spectators down in Harman Park. New Ulm Battery cannons remained down below following the Thunder in the Valley performance.

The cost of disassembly and rebuilding will be extensive, and the HMS wants to help where possible. Those looking to donate to the cause are encouraged to visit hermannmonument.com and become a Hermann Monument Society member.

In Harman Park, the music continues in the evening with the Worst Band Ever playing in the afternoon.

After 6 p.m. The New Ulm Municipal Band gave its annual Thunder in the Valley performance, with percussion accompaniment from multiple Civil War-era artillery batteries.

The New Ulm Battery was joined by multiple battery units from across the state as well as South Dakota and Iowa. A total of eight cannons were lined up in Harmann Park facing Center Street.

The cannons were fired off as the backup beat to marches performed by the Municipal Band. Band director Don Jirak said playing alongside cannon fire was not too difficult — the trick was not to become distracted. He said it was a great tradition to play alongside cannons and is one of the best ways to hear the 1812 Overture.

Photo by Clay Schuldt Jonah and the Whales performed two evening concert sets, before and after the fireworks display.

Following the Thunder in the Valley performance, the live music continued with a performance from Jonah and The Whales. The band played cover songs from all areas of music and incorporated quick costume changes into the performance. The concert was paused briefly at 8:30 p.m. for a fireworks display over the Hermann Monument.

This year multiple shelter tents were assembled in Harman Park for class reunions. The New Ulm High School Class of 1972 and the New Ulm High School/Cathedral High Class of 1982 held reunions.

Patrick Horan with the class of ’72 said they had about 90 returning classmates attend a special dinner the night before. The class graduated with more than 200 and many continue to return for reunions every five years.

Dan Backer with the class of ’82 said around 120 classmates returned from a graduating class of 290.

Over the last few years, Hermann Fest has become the go-to weekend for class reunions. A class of 1961 reunion was also held over the weekend. Backer said Heritage Fest was originally the class reunion festival, but that festival is no longer going, Hermann Fest is the favorite time for former New Ulm residents to return home.

Photo by Clay Schuldt Each of the battery units assembled for the Thunder in the Valley performance fire off a round as the “1812 Overture” is performed by the New Ulm Municipal Band.

Photo by Clay Schuldt As polka music played in Hermann Heights Park, down in Harman Park, “The Worst Band Ever” entertained the crowds during the early afternoon. This was The Worst Band Ever’s first performance during Hermann Fest.

Photo by Clay Schuldt At dusk, fireworks were launched from Hermann Heights Park, illuminated the monument for spectators down in Harman Park. New Ulm Battery cannons remained down below following the Thunder in the Valley performance.