“We typically see thousands of visitors over the weekend,” New Ulm Area Chamber President Sarah Warmka said. “People flock from across southern Minnesota to shop, listen to live music, join in the ping pong ball drop, etc. I imagine an even larger turnout this year, with the addition of Polka Palooza and the Sippin’ Southern Minnesota tasting event.”

Crazy Days officially kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday with a Street Dance and Polka Palooza. Artificial turf will be rolled out downtown creating a mobile green space for the event and a fun spot for dancers to really get down to some polka beats.

“I absolutely love the addition of Polka Palooza! It’s such a great fit for New Ulm, with our music history and German heritage,” Warmka said. “The live music and dancing will bring so much fun and energy to the weekend.”

The Misfits start the set (4 p.m.-7 p.m.) and Bockfest Boys play after, (8 p.m.-11 p.m.) There will also be food trucks downtown from 5 p.m. -11 p.m. including Legacy BBQ, Simply Made Right, Pronto Pups, and Sugar Shack.

Crazy Days is a great opportunity to find handmade gifts or something unique alongside of farmer’s market staples like fresh produce. Submitted photo

Crazy Days continues 9 a.m. Saturday, with the annual Ping Pong Ball Drop. Hundreds of ping pong balls labeled with discounts and some with Chamber dollars are dropped from Lola’s Roof Top.

The food trucks will return from 9 a.m.-11 a.m., including Jersey’s Food Truck, Sleepy Bison Grill and Pronto Pups.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the MarktStrasse vendor market will be held on Minnesota Street, featuring many local handcrafted items.

The New Ulm Farmer’s Market will also be happening from 9 a.m. to noon in the A to Zinnia Parking lot.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. there is a Shop the Lot with dozens of crafters and vendors in the City Hall Parking Lot.

Pictured here is last year’s farmer’s market. This year vendors will be at the A to Zinnia parking lot on Saturday morning from 9 am to 12 pm. Submitted photo

All the local downtown shops in New Ulm will be holding Crazy Days good deals as many of the businesses look to switch their inventory from summer to fall.

Polka Palooza will continue downtown Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. A dance instructor with Flō Dance Company will be giving polka beginner lessons from noon to 12:45 p.m.

The Street dance starts at 1 p.m., with the Bandwagon w/ Shawn Cable & Nate Frederickson Band – filming for TV Show, “Polka dancing.” Nate Boots plays next from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and the Tanner Stark Band ends the night.

.Sippin’ Southern Minnesota will be selling tickets for beer, wine, and distilleries, at the Downtown Tasting Expo from 4-8 p.m. It’s $20 a pass on sale at event.

With Polka all night and shopping all day, Crazy Days in downtown New Ulm is definitely a fun-packed weekend. For more information, visit www.newulm.com or contact the New Ulm Chamber at (507) 233-4300.