A banner in front of Turner Hall announces that the annual National TurnFest celebration is happening in New Ulm from July 25-29. Events will begin on Wednesday.

NEW ULM– A national festival is making its way to New Ulm for the first time.

Turnfest, a national festival bringing together the Turner Halls across America, is coming to New Ulm July 25-29. This is the 56th Turnfest. It is held every four years, with the first iteration taking place in 1851 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

New Ulm Turner Hall Executive Director Andrea Boettger said an increased national presence allowed New Ulm to be considered as a host.

“This festival is hosted by rotating societies,” she said. “A couple of years ago, we started to become more active at the national tournament level and they suggested we put our name in the hat to host the festival, which we did. We got picked a couple of years ago and we have been planning ever since.”

Boettger said the festival is a mix of cultural and athletic events, following the original mission of the Turners.

“The Turner’s were founded on the principles of a sound mind and a sound body,” she said. “We’ll be doing cultural events such as quilting oil, paintings, photography, metal work, Legos, musical submissions, and much more. Athletic events will include gymnastics, pickleball, track and field, 5k run/walk, and a model drill and mass drill event.”

Given New Ulm is the city of festivals, has plenty of tourism experience, and knows how to make people feel welcome, Boettger believes this is the perfect place for Turnfest to take place. Over 25 delegations will be making their way here. Groups from Boston, St. Louis, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio are a few examples.

The events will be open to Turner members of all ages, with some 80 and older competing in swimming and track and field events. Boettger is excited to see the Turner spirit of sound mind and body regardless of youth or age.

“[My favorite part is] we have a chance to showcase our city,” Boettger said. “I think New Ulm has so much to offer. We have an excellent school system and park and rec facilities we should be proud of and showing off for other people. It will be great for everyone to see our Turner Hall because we are one of the most active and oldest Turner Halls in the United States. We have the oldest gymnastics program in the state of Minnesota and gymnastics is what founded a big part of the Turner movement. To have all that history and everyone be able to see everything we do is going to be great.”

Events will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday ending with a parade starting on German Street at 5:30 p.m and an outdoor cookout in Turner park from 5-8 p.m. Turner Beer Garden will be open Wednesday through Friday from 5-10 p.m. Thursday events will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with food available in the restaurant.

Friday will feature live music from Shirts-N-Skins from 8-10:30 p.m. in Turner Park. Events will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday will be a short day, with events from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. A closed banquet and youth party will end the festival starting at 6 p.m. Events will take place at Turner Hall, New Ulm Rec Center, and New Ulm Middle School’s gym and track.

A full schedule for the upcoming Turnfest can be found at https://turnfestnewulm.com. For more information, visit their website or call 507-354-2022.