The Wendinger Band played the opening performance at the Best Western with Maria and Jay Salamoa of Safety Harbor, Fl. dancing to the music.

“We’ve been here about 10 times, the last three years in a row. I’m here to enjoy this festival instead of running it,” said Jay, the former president of the German-American Friendship Society in the Tampa-St. Peterburg Fl. Area.

“We really like Concord Singers. I’ve never seen a group like them with that many singers in the U.S. I’ve only seen groups like that in Germany,” he said. “We also enjoy to festivals in Germany, Portugal and the Tampa Bay area.”

Bill and Donna Landwehr of St. Cloud said this year was their 30th visit to Oktoberfest in New Ulm.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Children jump into a corn pit surrounded by hay bales on Minnesota Street as Oktoberfest kicked off Friday. Pictured from left, Gabe, Noah and Claire Skovbroten; and Hailey and Tessa Hoffmann, all of New Ulm. Asher Skovbroen is climbing a hay bale. Craig Fischer of Sleepy Eye is partially hidden.

Decades ago, he played drums and sang German tunes in the Bobby Tamboraski, Merrymakers and Deutschmeisters polkas bands in the St. Cloud area.

“We just love polka music. We often listen to it on KNUJ Radio on my computer,” said Bill. “We plan to listen to the Concord Singers Saturday at the New Ulm American Legion Club.”

After artificial turf was unrolled on Minnesota Street Friday afternoon, children jumped, sat, rolled and buried themselves in a large corn pit surrounded by hay bales on Minnesota Street.

Artificial turf grass was laid on Minnesota Street to 1st Street North. The Misfits and Tanner Stark Band performed on stage in front of the B & L Bar on Minnesota St.

Oktoberfest events continue Saturday. The Concord Singers take stage on Center Street from 10 a.m. to noon.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Children play in a large corn pit surrounded by hay bales on Minnesota Street Friday.

The German-American Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. in Schonlau Park at 4th North Street and Minnesota Street. Participants are asked to begin lining up for the parade to Center Street at 10:30 a.m.

The REVLINE band follows from noon to 1 p.m. Shirts & Skins take stage 2-5 p.m.

Oktoberfest contests scheduled from 1-2 p.m. include stein holding, sauerkraut eating and yodeling on Center Street.

The Craftoberfest craft and vendor show is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Minnesota Street.

The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Miss New Ulm Evie Mages and Nora Beranek do the "Chicken Dance" as The Wendinger Band plays on at the Best Western Plus Friday.

The Brown County Historical Society Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The popcorn wagon is scheduled to be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A blacksmith demonstration at the Kiesling House is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Glockenspiel performances in Schonlau Park are set for noon, 1, 3, 5, and 6 p.m.

Best Western Plus music features the Bockfest Boys at 5 p.m., Masskrugstemmen at 6:30 p.m. and the Tanner Stark Band at 8 p.m.