Backer’s capture was part of the annual start of the Fasching season, which begins the weekend before the start of Lent.

Brown County Historical Society executive director Amy Johnson was in a meeting with Backer at the time of her capture. Johnson denied being in league with The Narren, but made no attempt to free the mayor.

“I was just stunned,” Johnson said.

After dressing Backer in rags and parading her through the City Hall rotunda, the Narren read a proclamation celebrating the observance of Fasching by removing Backer from her high office and assuming her powers and duties.

Olivia Dugan-Batista from Bloomington goes through the trading cards she collected from the Narren during her visit to New Ulm. Missy Dreckman and Mayor Kathleen Backer check to see if she is missing any of the Narren characters.

As part of the proclamation, all New Ulm citizens were invited to take a holiday and celebration in the German tradition.

The Narren kept Backer on a literal short leash, dragging her to different businesses in downtown New Ulm, repeating the proclamation at every stop.

Missy Dreckman followed the Mayor and Narren through most of the stops. Dreckman said she tries to join in each year. This year, she said there was an attempt to sneak Backer out of City Hall after she was captured, but the Narren were watching too closely.

Several businesses were prepared for The Narren’s visit, but not all the customers were ready. Many of the lunch crowd at Pub 209 were from out of town when the Narren visited and were confused to see a gang of masked individuals parading an elected official around, but many got into the festival spirit.

Several of the guests at Pub 209 were students from Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran School, in town for a basketball tournament at Martin Luther College.

The Narren and Mayor stop outside Pub 209 during the Fasching celebration. Gunther a member of the Narren handout trading cards to Olivia Dugan-Batista and Bethany Zimmerman. The two girls were vising from Bloomington and were excited to meet the Narren.

Bloomington youths Olivia Dugan-Batista and Bethany Zimmerman made sure to get trading cards from each of the Narren characters they met.

The Narren’s takeover of New Ulm city government was accompanied by music, provided by Dain Moldan on the concertina and Adam Munsterman on the helicon. The two musicians have been a part of the Mayor’s capture for over a decade.

Munsterman said he was surprised by the weather, which reached 50 degrees. He said it was likely the warmest weather they’ve had for Fasching.

Several of the Narren commented that they were wearing too many layers for this year’s festival.

Backer said she was not alone in being taken out of power by the Narren.

Mayor Kathleen Backer laughs as the Narren attach a chain to prevent her from fleeing.

“My counterpart in Neu-Ulm, Germany, was also captured today,” she said. “The Narren over there took the keys to the city and are now running things.”

Backer said this year she realized that even though the Narren appear foolish, they do have a great love for New Ulm. It is the reason why they take over each year.

The Fasching fun will continue from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the New Ulm Best Western, with music from The Nate Frederickson Band.

The Narren Burgermeister of Ganse-Stadt holds up the proclamation declaring Feb. 13, 2026 the start of the Fasching festival. The Burgermeister would read this proclamation before relieving Mayor Kathleen Backer of her authority.

Mayor Kathleen Backer dances with members of the Narren in City Hall after declaring it the start of the Fasching season.