Staff photo by Ari Selvey Abby Carlson (center) of the Eiche, Illinois, Turners participates in the Mass Drill at Turner Park Thursday, along with other members of five Turner chapters.

By Ari Selvey

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM — Over 100 Turners from five different societies participated in the Mass Drill at Turner Park during the 56th National Turner Festival Thursday.

The Mass Drill is a tradition passed down from Prussian revolutionaries involving military-style drills without the use of arms, performed to music. The Prussian revolutionaries would practice their drills without arms in order to avoid being caught or disbanded by the government, and would use bowling pins and other objects in place of weaponry.

This year, participants of every age took to the park to perform the routine, which lasted a couple of minutes.

In the past, Mass Drill participation was required from every Turner chapter, resulting in 1000’s of members all performing the same routine. The Mass Drill has been a part of the National Turner Festival since its inception.

The Model Drill for all societies concluded Thursday night at the New Ulm Recreation Center.

There is also a Marching & Mass Drill Competition at Turner Hall ay 7 p.m. Friday night. In the event of rain, the event will held at the New Ulm Middle School.