This year’s parade was one of the largest in recent years including many families with historical ties to New Ulm that walked or rode down Minnesota Street downtown Saturday.

About 40 Mages family members from New Ulm, Sleepy Eye and all around Minnesota were in the parade. In 1881, Wenzel Mages and Barbara Wild settled in Brown County. They were all descendants of Alphonse and Barbara Mages who raised 16 children on a farm between New Ulm and Sleepy Eye. The family has more than 275 members now.

“We’re really excited to be here with the family today,” said Deb Fischer of Sleepy Eye. “We’re so proud to support our great niece, Miss New Ulm, Evie Mages and celebrate our German heritage in New Ulm today.”

Rick Mages of Sleepy Eye carried and played a tuba in the parade and later at the sauerkraut, yodeling and stein holding contests on Center Street.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Schmidt sisters, pictured from left, Ann Bemboom, Sauk Rapids; Jane Heath, Dallas; and Joan Christensen, Chanhassen meet in Schonlau Park before the German-American Day Parade Saturday. They have ties with West Newton Township pioneer Alexander Harkin and New Ulm businessman Andreas Amann.

Other parade participants included the Schmidt sisters with ties to Scottish immigrant and West Newton Township pioneer Alexander Harkin and New Ulm businessman Andreas Amann — Ann Schmidt Bemboom, Sauk Rapids; Jane Schmidt Heath, Dallas; and Joan Schmidt Christensen, Chanhassen.

Heath said she saw the German-American Day Parade last year and became intrigued with the idea of bringing family members to this year’s parade.

“We’re all members of the Junior Pioneers (of New Ulm and vicinity),” she said.

Harkin and his wife Jane established a farm in 1956 in West Newton, a tiny farming settlement on the north bank of the Minnesota River in Nicollet County, just northwest of New Ulm. He wore many hats including coroner, overseer of the poor, school board treasurer and justice of the peace.

The Harkins operated a general store and post office in one of the rooms of a log cabin on the Fort Ridgely Road. The business grew quickly and he moved into an adjoining building in 1870. A grain warehouse was also built.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch A large crowd listens to live music on Center Street Saturday.

After Harkin died in 1907, the store was closed until 1938 when Janet Harkin Massopust, Harkin’s granddaughter, reopened it as a museum, keeping many of the original goods on the shelves.

In 1973, the Minnesota Historical Society bought the Harkin Store, keeping its 1870 appearance. Managed by the Nicollet County Historical Society, the store hosted summer and fall events on Sunday afternoons until several years ago when it closed.

Heath is interested in re-opening the store, perhaps with the creation of a non-profit organization.

Amann, a German native, opened a blacksmith and wagon shop in Courtland prior to moving to New Ulm and rented the old Merchants hotel. In 1894, he built a two-story brick building that became a saloon and has been known as the B & L Bar for more than 20 years.

Other parade participants included former Minnesota Governor candidate Marty Seifert and his son Braxton of Marshall. They are descendants of John Seifert of New Ulm who moved to New Ulm in 1919 after farming near Morgan.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Concord Singers start Saturday music on Center Street with rousing rendidtions of German music.

The parade ended at the intersection of Center Street and Minnesota near the main Oktoberfest stage. The Center Street celebration featured music and games throughout the day. More than 20 men and 20 women competed in sauerkraut eating contests on Center Street. Debbie Stoermann of Freeport and Melanie Mages of Swanville battled hard for about five minutes before Stoermann finished first.

Anders Brekke, who pours beer at Locale Brewing in Mankato won the men’s contest, holding a stein for more than eight minutes.

Jeremy Skoglund of Royalton won the sauerkraut eating contest dominated by men. He downed 12 ounces in 40 seconds

Randi Bekkers of Brooklyn Park won the yodeling contest that was dominated by women.

Crafters and vendors at Oktoberfest downtown included Double K’s Goat Milk Products. Studies showed goat milk has many vitamins and minerals that reduce wrinkles and ark spots, reverse sun damage and help prevent skin damage.

Patrick and Colleen Wildt of Morgan sold alpaca items including winter clothing items, yarn, and raw fiber.

A number of wood crafters displayed items plus vendors of candles, popcorn, gnomes, beauty products, custom laser engraving of drink ware, wood products, cake pans and more.

The New Ulm Oktoberfest will pickup again next weekend. The celebration resumes 5 p.m. Friday, Oct 10 at the Best Western.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Concord Singers start Saturday music on Center Street with rousing rendidtions of German music.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Stein holding contestants from left, champion Debbie Stoermann of Freeport and Melanie Mages of Swanville were the final two contests among more than 20 participants.