This was the 11th HermannFest celebration. The festival marks the anniversary of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest that occurred in 9 CE between Sept. 8-11 in which the real Hermann (Arminius) led several German tribes against three Roman legions, ending the expansion of the Roman Empire into Germanic territory.

Since 2013, the Hermann Monument Society (HMS) has host HermannFest to draw attention to Hermann Monument and its significance to the New Ulm Community.

The HermannFest celebration officially began at 11 a.m. Saturday with musical performances in Hermann Heights Park from Dain’s Dutchmen, Leon Olsen Band and the Concord Singer. At 3 p.m., the music shifted to Harman Park below the Herman Monument. The festivities would move to Harman Park in the late afternoon, opening with performances from The Bockfest Boys.

At 6 p.m., the New Ulm Municipal Band gave a performance in collaboration with the New Ulm Battery and a few other battery units for Thunder in the Valley. A total of eight Civil War-era cannons were lined up in Harman Park to provide extra percussion for the Municipal Band.

At 8:30 pm sharp, the Hermann Monument was lit up with a fireworks display to celebrate Hermannfest 2025.

For the second year in a row, Michael Koester served as the musical director for Thunder in the Valley. His main duty was to coordinate the cannon fire with the Municipal Band’s performance.

Koester said he only had sheet music for the final musical piece, “1812 Overture,” which had clear markings for when the cannons should fire. For the other pieces, it was at Koester’s discretion for when the cannons should fire.

“My musical instincts take over when a cannon is needed,” he said.

In this case, the cannons could substitute for a drum or symbol crash. Koester said the challenge is making sure the cannon is ready to be fired.

“It takes more time to warm up or tune a cannon,” he said.

He said the “1812 Overture” is the hardest part of the show because the piece ends with several cannons that need to be fired back-to-back.

After Thunder in the Valley, Jonah & The Whales took the stage, providing the musical entertainment for the evening.

At 8:30 p.m. attendees were treated to a fireworks display around the Hermann Monument.

Coordinating HermannFest requires the work of dozens of volunteers. HMS executive director Lauren McMackin said there are dozens of volunteers spread between different areas. HermannFest is held between two parks, requiring different areas of volunteers

She estimated there were 14 volunteers taking tickets, four different sets of volunteers grilling food and 32 volunteers serving food. The beer stands had another 12 volunteers and around five volunteers for 1919 root beer.

No official attendance count is taken for the HermannFest celebration, but McMackin said there was likely an influx of attendees this year due to a class reunion attendees. This year, five classes New Ulm high school classes from between 1987-1991 held a group class reunion, which started Friday and continued through HermannFest Saturday. One of the Hermann Heights shelter was provided to the class, as well as a tent in Harman Park.

Dale Bahr, from the class of 1989, was the lead organizer for the class reunion. He said the reason the reunion was held during HermannFest was to take advantage of the facilities already available in the park, including food services and music.

Those attending the reunion were asked to donate for the reunion expenses. Bahr said after expenses, the reunion had $950 left over. It was decided to split the surplus and donate $475 to HMS and Brown County Yellow Ribbon.

Bahr said the class decided to donate to HMS since the board was kind enough to give them shelter space during the festival. They also donated to Brown County Yellow Ribbon because September was Suicide Prevention Awareness month.

McMakin said HMS is always looking for fundraising to support the Hermann Monument. Every year, profits from HermannFest go to the monument.

HMS president Tom Furth said in the near future the Hermann Monument will need to undergo significant repairs. The monument base needs to be rebuilt. This would require the monument to be disassembled piece by piece to create a blueprint for the monument and allow it to be rebuilt. The entire process would cost millions.

McMackin said anyone who wishes to donate to the monument should email info@hermannmonument.com.

McMackin thanked the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council for awarding HermannFest a $2,500 grant that was made possible through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

She also thanked the community members who came to HermannFest and the dozens of volunteers who made it possible.

“We’re grateful for everyone who came out and showed their support,” she said.