Submitted photo With a forecast temperature of 60 degrees or more, a large crowd is expected for the 2024 Bockfest event at August Schell Brewery Saturday.

NEW ULM — With a forecast temperature over 60 degrees, a huge crowd is expected to enjoy, brats, sauerkraut, beer, music, and friendship with crowd of thousands at Bockfest 2024 at the August Schell Brewery Saturday.

It may not be the warmest Bockfest ever, but it may come close.

“One year, it was 71 degrees, We were playing on the Schell’s loading dock in the early days of Bockfest,” said Bockfest Boys musician and manager Scott Sparlin.

The Bockfest Boys take the big parking lot main stage at 11 a.m.

New wrinkles at Bockfest this year include a new band following the Bockfest Boys on the big parking lot stage, several food trucks and moving the gate closer to the brewery.

A new band, the White Iron Band, originally from Ely, performs on the main stage at 1:30 p.m. The band defined itself as “a high-energy, renegade American roots band specializing in foot-stomp-in, forget what troubles ya music. With enough energy to blow your face off and enough soul to well your eyes.”

The White Iron Band performs blues, country and rock music. It has shared the stage with many musicians including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels, Trampled By Turtles.

“Franz (Marti) is a big fan of their music and they’re a fan of the brewery. I heard their song “Minnesota Pride” about Grain Belt beer and thought we’ll bring them down here,” said Schell’s Vice President Kyle Marti.

DJ Strudel Boy will perform 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jagers Ruh in the woods below the brewery.

In addition to grilled brats, apple turnovers, garlic bread sticks and hot sauerkraut Schell’s has offered at Bockfest in the past, several food trucks will serve donuts, large pretzels and wood-fired pizza.

“We tried them at Oktoberfest last year and got positive feedback,” Marti said.

“This will help move things along, especially from noon to 1:30 p.m. when people get hungry,” Marti added.

In addition, the Bockfest gate was moved closer to the brewery.

“People at Oktoberfest told us they really liked that,” Marti said.

Schell’s will operate a shuttle vehicle from the brewery to Bockfest parking areas Saturday.

Tickets are available online for the 21 plus Bockfest. Identification is required.

Royal Event Center doors open at 7 p.m. for the Bockfest After Party with IV Play, a cash-only event. The show is set for 8-11 p.m. Saturday.

B & L Bar owner Rick Kamm said plans to bring in three extra servers Saturday to handle added business. Musicians will perform from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday at the bar.

“It’s going to be a phenomenal day. Schell’s does a good job with Bockfest,” Kamm said.

New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Sarah Warmka said free shuttle rides in two large white vans and blue minibuses will be available Saturday by Minne Transportation Services. She said the rides was sponsored by a number of local businesses.

Shuttles will run 6 p.m. to bar closing Friday from the B & L, to Best Western Plus, Schell’s Brewery and Black Frost Distilling. On Saturday, shuttles will run from 9 a.m. to bar closing time with runs to the Royal Event Center in the evening.

Minne Transportation will set up a hot dog stand outside the B & L Friday night and all day Saturday.

“We’re certainly excited about Bockfest and the concert at night. Hopefully people will come downtown, shop in our shops, dine in our restaurants and enjoy the establishments,” Warmka said.