Staff photo by Fritz Busch Doris, left, and Chris Benson of Halletsville, Tx. dance to the sounds of the Leon Olsen Show at Bavarian Blast at the Brown County Fairgrounds Friday.

NEW ULM — Music from a variety of Bavarian Blast bands wafted in the air around the Brown County Fairgrounds Friday.

Bavarian Blast Vice President Tom Furth talked about the big crowd Friday.

“We added a day band to give us five this year. We added more food choices and the weather is beautiful,” said Furth.

A colorful couple spun and danced with grace as the Leon Olsen Show performed in the KNUJ Polka Hall.

“We’re just nomads that like to dance. We drove 1,200 miles to New Ulm from our home.” said Chris Benson of Halletsville, Tx. during a dancing break with his wife Doris.

“She told me New Ulm had some good German food. We went to the Kaiserhoff and Turner Hall Rathskeller. I really liked the murals at Turner Hall. They’re so beautiful, I want to go back and see them again,” said Benson.

“We also went to Hermann Heights. I wanted to climb the Hermann Monument, but she wouldn’t let me,” he added.

“We met at a dance at the Medina Ballroom. I was living in the rural Colorado mountains at the time. She lived in rural Iowa,” Benson said.

With The Narren circling the crowd, interacting with people, The Concord Singers took the NUVERA Stage with KNUJ Radio production director/on-air personality Todd Olson on drums.

Olson said he became interested in music from his ancestors.

“I got my musical abilities from my grandpa, Elmer Braun of Buffalo Lake. He played in a number of polka bands. He let me use his drum kit as I was growing up after I showed interest in it,” said Olson.

“I played in the (Bird Island High School) pep band, then a rock cover band, ‘Deep’ from 1999 to 2006, based mainly out of Granite Falls. We played the music of Rick Springfield, John Mellencamp, AC/DC,” he added.

After a hiatus from music, Olson sang with The Concord Singers of New Ulm and is now the drummer with group.

“I love music. It’s a big part of my life. That’s why I got into radio. I didn’t know what else to do for a career. I knew I didn’t want to teach it, so I got into radio,” said Olson.

Fred and Denise Probe of Sleepy Eye said they came to hear Mollie B with Squeezebox.

“She could play the phone book. If we find out she is playing near where we are, we go listen to her,” said Probe.

Marvin Huiras of New Ulm said he hears Mollie B with Squeezebox when he winters in McAllen, Tx.

Gregg Albrecht of Fairfax said he’s enjoyed hearing Mollie B at Stiftungest in Norwood-Young America and would like to hear her sing at her Reedsburg, Wis. Branson-style Christmas Show.

Shelly Boelter of New Ulm urged people to come out to Bavarian Blast.

“It’s a really great time. There’s something for everybody,” she said.

Saturday Bavarian Blast music in the Schell’s tent begins at 10 a.m. with The Concord Singers on the NUVERA Stage. Musikverein Herborn-Seelbach take the Herborn Stage at 11 a.m.

Squeezebox with Mollie B performs at noon., followed by Dan Witucki with Mein Heimatland Musikanten 1 p.m., Alpensterne 2 p.m., The Concord Singers 3 p.m., Dan Witucki 4 p.m., Sqeezebox with Mollie B 5 p.m., Alpensterne 6 p.m., Musikverein Herborn-Seelbach 7 p.m..

A stein-holding contest is set for 8:15-9 p.m. Balance-a tribute to Van Halen at 9 p.m. and The Hype, 80s glam 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Sunday Schell’s tent events begin with the Molly B church service at 10 a.m., New Ulm municipal band at 11 a.m., parade at noon, Schell’s Hobo Band 2 pm., Dan Witucki 3 p.m., Alpensterne 4 p.m, the Concord Singers 5 p.m., Musikverein Herborn-Seelbach 6 p.m. and Church of Cash 7-8:30 p.m.

KNUJ Polka Hall Saturday music begins at 11 a.m. with the Holly Huntsmen Band, Matt Hodek &the Dakota Dutchmen 12:30 p.m., the Wendinger Band 2 pm., Jolly Huntsmen 3:30 p.m., Matt Hodek 5 p.m. and the Wendinger Band 6:30-8 p.m.

The Larry Olsen Band performs Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Dain’s Dutchmen 2 p.m., and 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www.bavarianblast.com