First pour Second Oktoberfest weekend underway
Beer fans ignore rain and celebrate with music inside ballroom
An honorary Schell’s keg opener pours the first glass as the second weekend of Oktoberfest officially kicks off Friday. The Narren celebrate in the background, ready to enjoy the festivities.
The Concord Singers raise their hands in sadness as they sing about no beer in heaven at the Best Western Ballroom Friday. Thankfully, the keg was opened after their performance.
Steve Billmeier stands in line as he waits for his own glass of Schell’s keg beer. Billmeier has been coming to Oktoberfest for 30 years, and he enjoys the camraderie shared amongst those who attend.
An honorary Schell’s keg opener pours the first glass as the second weekend of Oktoberfest officially kicks off Friday. The Narren celebrate in the background, ready to enjoy the festivities.
The Concord Singers raise their hands in sadness as they sing about no beer in heaven at the Best Western Ballroom Friday. Thankfully, the keg was opened after their performance.
Steve Billmeier stands in line as he waits for his own glass of Schell’s keg beer. Billmeier has been coming to Oktoberfest for 30 years, and he enjoys the camraderie shared amongst those who attend.
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NEW ULM -- The second weekend of Oktoberfest kicked off on a rainy Friday the 13th at Best Western.
Though the weather was rainy outside, nothing could damper the spirits of the folks inside the Best Western Ballroom. The evening started with a hearty German performance from the Concord Singers. Alongside traditional German hits, they sang classics such as "Country Roads, Take Me Home." They also performed Sweet Caroline in German.
Afterward, the keg was officially opened, signaling the beginning of the second Oktoberfest weekend. Three honorary keg openers, dressed in traditional German garb, got the party started with the first drinks poured from the Schell's keg. Among the first in line was Steve Billmeier from St. Paul.
Billmeier began coming to Oktoberfest around 30 years ago. When he first started coming he went to Schell's Brewery. He noted some details, such as the tents and long tables put in front of the buildings, were not there originally. While he can't remember exactly what year he went, he said one thing was for sure.
"I was a lot younger, I know that," Billmeier said.
Several things bring Billmeier back to Oktoberfest decades later. The camaraderie of the people, the Concord Singers, and the beer are among them. Like many with traditional German hats, collecting pins has also become a staple of his experience.
"They’re all Oktoberfest pins," Billmeier said. "I keep adding to them every year. I got the Schell's ones, Grain Belt, pretzels, a couple of mugs of beer, and the American flag."
Billmeier's hat is also adorned with a few feathers. He said one of them came with the hat, one was given to him by a friend, and a third was brand new for this year. He said he's looking forward to a sunnier Schell's Saturday.
Brent and Katie Connolly have had Oktoberfest in their lives for decades. Now they enjoy as attendees, but for several years they were performers in a German dance troupe. The troupe performed at Oktoberfest and Bavarian Blast several times, and the couple have been coming to New Ulm for 30 years. While they haven't been back since COVID-19 started, this year they are ready to enjoy the festivities like old times.
"We enjoy the beer, the big tent, and all the camaraderie between the people down there," Brent Connolly said. "It’s a bunch of crazy people who like the German heritage. They come down and have a good time."
Brent Connolly is also a fan of collecting pins on his German hat. He said he originally bought his in New Ulm at Domeier's. His pins are a mixed collection from Oktoberfest in New Ulm and across the United States. He also has some new additions from Germany, as he visited this year on a German Cruise.
The Connolly's are hopeful the weather cooperates for a sunny Oktoberfest at Schell's. But just in case, Brent Connolly has a backup plan to keep his prized possession safe.
"I have a plastic bag in her purse for my hat," he said. "When we go outside, I take my hat off and put it in the plastic."
The party continued well into the evening, as the Bockfest Boys played from 6:30-9 p.m. and Ipolka capped off the evening from 9:30-12 p.m.
The Best Western Ballroom has a full schedule of bands for Saturday. Concord Singers will play from 2-3 and 7-8 p.m., Leon Olson and the Dain's Dutchmen will have a long set from 3-7 p.m., and Powerhouse will cap off the night from 8:30-12.
Downtown will feature performances from Adam Munsterman and Heidi and the Good Ole Boys at the BnL Bar from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. respectively. Craftoberfest Craft and Vendor Show will be on 1st North Downtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Popcorn Wagon will be at the Brown County Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Schell's Brewery will open at 10:30 a.m. The Beer Wagon will arrive at 10:45, followed by the traditional tapping of the fest keg at 11. Schell's Hobo Band will perform from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by Alpensterne from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The last call will be at 4:30, and the brewery will close at 5.