Turner Fest ends with a splash
Downs, 84, pulls double duty as director, swimmer
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NEW ULM -- George Downs, 84, of New Ulm was busy last week at Turner Fest directing the Water Ninja race Thursday and competing in four swimming races with men close to his age Saturday.
"The whole fest is great, a fabulous event. I loved everthing," said Downs after competing in several swimming races Saturday afternoon.
He should be used to the water. A former U.S. Navy diver who served seven years active duty and five years in the reserves, Downs said he grew up in Denver, where his mother was a Turner Society member but wanted to see the ocean so he joined the Navy.
Downs said after his active duty Navy time, he worked as an ocean engineer and in international sales before moving to New Ulm.
Saturday's men's swimming events continued much of the afternoon with a good number of competitors in their later years swimming the length of the indoor pool.
American Turners President Craig Sniezek of Aurora, Il talked about Turner Fest in New Ulm that wound up Saturday.
"New Ulm's did a fantastic job with the facilities. They had plenty of people working the facilities," said Sniezek, who has been a Turner for 49 years. "It's gone very, every well with timing and everything. Everybody here from out of town has totally enjoyed themselves."
"This is our premier event every four years. The first Turner Fest was held in 1851," he said. "Turner Fests were held every other year, one for the east side of the country and one for the west side due to transportation issues," Sniezek said. "Some where along the way, changed it to once every four years."
"New Ulm is just a phenomenal city. I think everybody had a very good time here and got an education in New Ulm on what American Turnerism is about," he added. "This is the oldest festival of its kind in the world. It's nice that it's geared for people of all ages to participate. We've got people competing that are close to 90 years old."
"What's nice about it is after the competition, people are sitting somewhere across from each other talking about it and being or becoming friends at the same time," said Sniezek. "It brings everybody in the country together. We try to pursue it with the youth too. That's the future of our group and any group."
Participants included a good number of people from the Chicago and St. Louis area who said they enjoy the camaraderie, variety of events, fellowship and friendship.