NEW ULM – This year’s Hermannfest will be its 10th anniversary, and organizers are excited to begin the festivities.

The event started in 2014 after the 150th anniversary of the battery served as a precursor event in 2013. In 2013, money was raised by a raffle with a chance to fire the cannon. The fundraiser, which was organized by Joel Albrecht, raised over $5,000. Besides the COVID canceled 2020, Hermannfest has given people a chance to support Hermann the Germann

This year’s version will have free admission and start at Hermann Heights with Dains’ Dutchmen at 11:30 a.m. The Leon Olson Band and Concord Singers will follow them up at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30.

At the same time festivities at Harman Park will begin with the Bockfest Boys at 3. A musical piece called Thunder in the Valley will combine the New Ulm Municipal Band with accompaniment from the New Ulm Battery’s cannon fire. After that’s finished, Jonah and the Whales will play out the night from 7:45 to 10:45. The fireworks over Hermann Monument will start at 8:30.

Burgers, brats, German potato salad, and sauerkraut will be available for people to get their German food fix. The event is cash only.

Hermann Monument Society President Tom Furth said Jonah and the Whales first performed with Hermann the German in 2009, for the 2,000th anniversary of Hermann’s victory over the Romans.

“I think it’s very meaningful that on the 10th anniversary of Hermannfest, we have Jonah and the Whales back here again,” he said.

After 10 years, Furth said the event has evolved with the monument. With Hermann the German needing complete deconstruction and reconstruction, he said this is the opportunity for folks to come and support the monument.

“It means a lot to continue the German heritage,” Furth said. “Means a lot to promote our monument. That’s what sets New Ulm apart from many other towns around us, other towns our size, and throughout the nation, is our focus on tradition and good people.”

Furth said Thunder in the Valley is one of the more unique aspects of the event.

“The Municipal Band will play a lot of military fight songs and the 1812 Overture,” he said. “They coordinate the music with the cannon fire. It’s probably a spectacle people won’t ever get to see anywhere else.”

Hermannfest also prides itself on its larger fireworks display. Furth said having New Ulm’s fireworks after the Fourth of July helps ensure they bring the boom.

“The nice thing about our event is that 8:30 is a great time to fire them off,” he said. “We can always get our fireworks company in here because nobody fires off fireworks the Saturday after Labor Day. It’s a random day. We’ve always been able to get a great display.”

There are some layout changes this year. The Harman Park football field has had irrigation placed in it. Furth said they don’t want anyone driving on the field, so the whole festival has been shifted slightly south.

Several class reunions will be taking place at the event, which Furth said has become a popular place to do so.

“The New Ulm Public and New Ulm Cathedral Class of 79 are having a dual class reunion,” he said. “You’ll see the Gag sheet metal red tent set up down there. That’s not uncommon, this has become a great, great day for class reunions.”

Furth said he has two things he hopes happen this year.

“Number one for great weather,” he said. “We’ve been real lucky in the past. Most of the time in September, you’re talking 70s or low 80s during the day, absolutely beautiful. You’re talking about it getting down into the 50s and 60s at night. Number two that everybody from New Ulm comes down in force and shows their support for the monument. Shows how important the monument is to town.”

The event will have security in place to ensure everything runs effectively, and the fire department will be on hand just in case.

For more information, visit https://hermannmonument.com/