Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm Mayor Kathleen Backer gets excited about being captured by The Narren in New Ulm City Hall Friday.

NEW ULM — New Ulm Mayor Kathleen Backer was all smiles Friday as The Narren captured her at city hall and led her to downtown establishments and banksto celebrate the start of the Fasching season.

The Narren circled Backer, hand-in-hand and sang “In Heaven There Is No Beer” and chanted “Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi.”

Semi truck drivers blew their horns as the entourage left city hall. Musicians Adam Munsterman and Dain Moldan performed with the group that toured downtown for several hours. The downtown tour ended at the Post 132 American Legion Club.

In Germany, Fasching is a week-long celebration with large parades and parties. People dance on parade floats, wear silly costumes and throw candy to children.

There is no Fasching costume contest in New Ulm this year, however.

The New Ulm Public Library hosts a Narren Fasching celebration Saturday, Feb. 18 in the library meeting room. The Narren will entertain children without their masks to give them confidence to interact with them during parades and celebrations.

The free program is open to the public and will include singing and dancing, a craft and new, original story of the Narren. For more information, call the library at 507-359-8331.

The Bockfest celebration at the Schell’s Brewery is continuing strrong next weekend, however. As many as 6,000 people are expected including busloads of revelers from the upper midwest to drink outside and listen to live music beginning at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 4 at Bockfest at the August Schell Brewery.

Bockfest is a separate celebration from Fasching, dedicated to celebrating the end of winter.

The festival includes a hunt for wooden goat heads (bocks) on the brewery grounds and nearby woods. If all seven are found, winter will end quickly.

Bonfires with red hot pokers will be used to caramelize beer, making it sizzle and foam, adding flavor depth including a creamy feel and smoky character.

Alpensterne, considered one of the most unique and musically diverse groups in the area, will perform from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. New Ulm’s Bockfest Boys follow until 4:30 p.m.

Identification is required for Bockfest entrants who must be at least 21 years old. Admission is $10. Backpacks will be searched. No outside food or beverages are allowed in the brewery grounds.

After Bockfest, live music continues at downtown establishments and at the Royal Oak Event Center on 20th Street South. IV Play will perform from 8:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.. Admission is $15 cash.