Staff photo by Fritz Busch In his 61st year of performing, Peter Wendinger, left, of New Ulm was honored for his 2024 induction into the 2024 International Polka Association Hall of Fame by Bavarian Blast Vice President Tom Furth at Bavarian Blast Saturday.

NEW ULM — Polka music came to a stop in the Bavarian Blast Schell’s tent Saturday night as Peter Wendinger was honored for his induction into the IPA (International Polka Association) Hall of Fame.

“He’s a polka legend,” Bavarian Blast Vice President Tom Furth said of Wendinger.

“Over 61 years, Peter has done 5,690 dance jobs, employed 229 musicians and traveled more than 2 million miles to shows,” said Furth.

Wendinger, 75, talked humbly about the award.

“It’s been a privilege to represent New Ulm for 62 years of polka music. Thank you,” said Wendinger.

On New Ulm Polka day, 1962, Peter’s father, Herbert Wendinger, bought Peter and his brother Paul their first concertina from the Christy Hengel display.

Peter remembered Polka Days when Minnesota politician and statesman Hubert Humphrey came to Polka Days.

“My dad had an uncle, Rueben Franta, who owned a New Ulm grocery store and was a very hard Republican, but he to go down and see Humphrey. He went right down where the stage steps were. When Humphrey walked down the steps, he extended his arm to my dad’s uncle and he pulled his hand away and Humphrey said ‘can’t win ’em all.” said Wendinger.

Their first playing engagement was Oct. 1, 1963 for a neighbor’s wedding reception, George and Marian Altmann of St. George. They each received a pair of black sox for compensation. Their first “paid” job was Jan. 15, 1964 for John Deere Day in Gibbon.

In his early polka years, Peter often played with Harold Loeffelmacher and the Six Fat Dutchmen of New Ulm. Most of his jobs were local taverns.

Wendinger has been on the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame Board of Directors for 42 years. His brother Paul was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in the deceased category in 2012.

The Wendinger brothers were the 1985 Minnesota Ballroom Operators Old Time Band of the Year, won the Minnesota Music Academy Award, inducted into the 2005 Polka Hall of Fame at Ironworld in Chisholm and the World Concertina Congress. He was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

Steinholding winners were two former New Ulmites, Springfield Ambulance Coordinator Paula Thomas and Adam Dauer.

Thomas said she does lots of lifting including ambulance patients, 50-pound sacks of chicken feed and 12 grandchildren, with another one on the way.

Dauer said he works as a welder full-time and blacksmith part-time and does plenty of physical work. Dauer’s father Allen, a dairy farmer, won the 2018 Bavarian Blast stein-holding contest.