The annual celebration of German heritage, music, food, and community drew a strong turnout, despite Friday’s cool and cloudy skies.

“This year’s event has been going well so far,” said Dodie Wendinger, a board member with Bavarian Blast. “Last night we had a wonderful turnout, around 1,500 people and we’re expecting about 7,000 attendees throughout the weekend.”

She noted this year’s event saw an increase in activities for children.

“We’ve added more kid-friendly options like bounce houses, and we welcomed day cares from the area today. Hopefully, the weather stays on our side for the rest of the weekend.”

Emily Kral and her son Eli Kral from New Ulm smile for a photo in their traditional German outfits, enjoying the festive atmosphere at Bavarian Blast.

Friday afternoon featured a performance by the Concord Singers, a New Ulm staple known for their renditions of polkas and traditional German tunes.

Jamie Giseke, a 47-year veteran of the Concord Singers, shared his long-standing connection to the group.

“It’s been special,” he said. “If I live long enough, I’ll make it to 50,” he asaid.

Fellow Concord member Brent Roiger said, “This event feels like the midpoint of the summer. It’s always a good time, especially when we get nice weather like today.”

The crowd included both longtime attendees and first-timers. Jim and Joni Setand from Coon Rapids, and Garry and Tami Hillier from Thompson, North Dakota, were visiting Bavarian Blast for the first time.

Jim and Joni Setand from Coon Rapids (right) and Garry and Tami Hillier from Thompson, North Dakota (left) celebrate their first-ever Bavarian Blast with festive spirit.

“We’ve been to Oktoberfest before, but this is our first time at Bavarian Blast,” Joni Setand said. “We love Schell’s Brewery, we go there every time we visit New Ulm.”

For Dale and Lori Mandelko of Richmond, it’s become a cherished tradition.

“This is our ninth year. We’ve been coming since 2017,” Dale said. “The friends, the music, that’s what brings us back. Over the years, our friends have become like family.”

Dennis and Michele Hahn from the Amana Colonies in Iowa were celebrating a special occasion. “It’s our 35th wedding anniversary,” Dennis said. “This is our second time coming. Friends told us about it, and we loved it enough to come back again.”

For New Ulm local Emily Kral, Bavarian Blast is a family affair.

Dale and Lori Mandelko of Richmond, Minnesota, smile for a photo in their festive German attire, celebrating their ninth year attending Bavarian Blast.

“My son Eli, who’s five, loves the German music and dressing in his lederhosen,” she said. “We used to go to Heritagefest, and I’ve been bringing him to Bavarian Blast since he was one year old.”

The festivities continue Saturday including return of the Bavarian Blast 5K fun run in the morning and a bean bag tournament in the afternoon.

The weekend wraps up with the famous Bavarian Blast Parade on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., a grand celebration that winds through town with music, floats, dancers, and plenty of German tradition.

Dennis and Michele Hahn from Amana Colonies, Iowa, pose in their playful pretzel and sausage outfits, showing off their German spirit at this year’s Bavarian Blast.

A new feature at this year’s Bavarian Blast, bounce houses, provided plenty of fun for children, adding more family-friendly activities to the festival lineup.