Staff photo by Fritz Busch Dain Moldan, left, of Dain’s Dutchmen plays the concertina as New Ulm’s Narren and others outside Target Field’s Gate 6 at the Minnesota Twins German Heritage Night in September. Game day packages are available from the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce for the Sept. 12 2025 German Heritage Night.

NEW ULM — For the second straight year, New Ulm is invited to participate in the Minnesota Twins German Heritage Night at Target Field.

Last September, more than 200 fans rode four coach buses to Target Field and back for the event sponsored by the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce.

German Heritage night participants danced to the polka music of Dain’s Dutchmen outside Gate 6. Then New Ulm native and former Minnesota Twins and Oakland A’s catcher Terry Steinbach arrived to escort the group to the home plate area for a ceremonial first pitch.

The New Ulm turnout impressed Minnesota Twins officials so much, the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce was invited to make arrangements to participate in German Heritage Night this year.

“We’ve got about 50 people registered so far (Wednesday). We had nearly 200 last year,” said Sarah Warmka, New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO.

Participants have until 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29 to register for ticket packages at the chamber office or online. Buses leave the Cash Wise Foods lower parking lot at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12.

Fans are invited to arrive at Target Field early and take part in pre-game festivities beginning at 5:10 p.m., just outside Gate 6.

Adam Munstermann and Dain’s Dutchmen band leader Dain Moldan will provide live polka music for The Narren and others to dance to.

The honorary first pitch will feature “Hermann” throwing the ball to New Ulm native and former major league baseball player Brian Raabe, who played for the Twins, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies and Seibu Lions in Japan. He is now the head baseball coach at Bethel University.

Hermann and The Narren will assist with the Twins territory flag raising and the seventh inning stretch that will appear on a large Target Field video screen.

“New Ulm is honored to bring our German traditions and community spirit to Target Field for German Heritage Night,” said Warmka. “It’s a fun way to showcase our city and invite fans to join us again for Oktoberfest this fall.”

Warmka said the Twins contacted her several years ago to participate in German Heritage Night and she ran with the idea.

A Twins German Heritage promotional stein with a German emblem is part of a game day package offer. Last year, a ball cap with a German emblem was offered.

Many coach bus seats remain available for the German Heritage Night Minnesota Twins game. Special ticket packages are available. Visit newulm.com/twins2025 or contact the Chamber at chamber@newulm.com or call 507-233-4300.