Char Reinhart-Kalk, who operates two rental properties in central New Ulm with her husband Dan, was busy preparing a house at 16 State North Street for weekend tenants.

“My calendar is set up for a year in advance. Often times, people that stayed here this weekend (for Oktoberfest), will book it for next year,” she said. “I got a cancellation in early September for this year, but it was quickly filled. Festival bookings here are never an issue.”

Reinhart-Kalk said she enjoys bringing baked goods and items for making pretzel bracelets to a rental house for tenants.

Sometimes, people come from far away.

“Last week, I had a group from Fargo. I often get people from La Crosse, the Twin Cities and Sioux Falls too. Some people book houses for a whole week,” she said. “What people really like about them are they are only a block from downtown, so people can walk to things. The houses have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, porches, decks, a full kitchen, so several families can share them.”

Tavern 507 General Manager Bethany Scott said the Best Western had people from Alaska, North Carolina, Texas, Washington last weekend.

Best Western Plus General Manager Bobbi Fuhr said rooms were nearly sold out Thursday.

“We have a room or two left,” she said. “It’s about like last weekend. We even had people from Germany. This weekend will likely be our busiest weekend of the year. The Concord Singers draw big crowds. They’re playing five times this weekend–at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday.”

Ipolka which includes an electric guitar, plays at 8 p.m. Friday. Leon Olson and Dain Moldan play at 8 p.m. Saturday.

“People loved them last year and asked us to bring them back,” said Scott.

“Our first stein holding contest went over really well last weekend. We had 10 men and women, old and young. Some women lasted a lot longer than men,” said Scott.

Oktoberfest admission at the Best Western Plus is $10 per day, $15 for the weekend. Motel guests have no admission charge.

The Best Western Tavern 507 brunch begins an hour earlier than usual, at 10 a.m. this Saturday and Sunday.

New Ulm Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Sarah Warmka said rooms are very tight in and around New Ulm this weekend.

“A Texas couple called us asking us where they could find a room because New Ulm and many places were full this weekend. They had to book a room earlier in the week at Best Western Plus here, which is great,” she said.

Friday night live music includes Pocket Lounge 7-9:30 p.m. at The Grand Kabaret and the Bockfest Boys, 5-8 p.m. at The Kaiserhoff.

Saturday music includes Adam Munsterman & Friends 8:30 a.m. to noon at the B & L Bar, the Bockfest Boys at 11 a.m. at Schell’s Brewery, followed by Alpensterne; DJ CPR The Pulse, 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the B & L, IV Play 8-11 p.m. at the Royal Oak Event Center.

For more information, visit www.newulm.com.