“We’ll be at maximum manpower with nine people on, not just for event times, but for the entire Oktoberfest weekend,” said Barstad. “The event seems to grow over the past few years. We’ve included it with other event dates in which officers can’t take time off.”

The good news is police beats have not changed much due to events with big crowds.

“We haven’t seen more criminal activity on these weekends. Other than alcohol consumption, we don’t see a spike in problematic behavior,” said Barstad. “We’ve made some subtle changes like officers patrolling downtown on foot from time to time.”

This weekend much of Oktoberfest will be at Schell’s Brewery and Best Western Plus.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Elmer Rettig of Amilla Care Transport is pictured with his minivan ready to provide rides in New Ulm this weekend.

“We’ll see more people including foot traffic on the south end of town instead of downtown this weekend,” he said. “Downtown will be busier than usual Friday and Saturday night again. Officers were busy last weekend. There were some DWI arrests and alcohol-induced disturbances, but very little of it had to do with Oktoberfest.”

He said “sober” cab options are a blessing for law enforcement and festival attendees.

“We’ve seen a number of people providing sober cab rides at the event which is greatly helpful for people getting home safely,” Barstad said.

Free shuttle van rides sponsored by B & L Bar, Best Western Plus and Schell’s Brewery will be available. Visit the New Ulm Chamber website for more information at https://www.newulm.com/events/oktoberfest/.

Blake Voges of New Uim said two 15-passenger vans will be available from 5:30 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to bar closing Saturday.

“We’re pretty busy. I drove a shuttle van 300 miles last weekend. I’m planning to drive 400 miles this weekend. Tips will be appreciated,” said Voges.

Retired postal worker Elmer Rettig of Amilla Care Transport will drive a late model mini van between downtown, the brewery, motels and wherever else people want to go in and around New Ulm for $15 per trip for up to five people.

Rettig said much of his business is non-emergency medical transportation for hospitals and a Mankato crisis center that sometimes includes places as far away at the Twin Cities.