NEW ULM — The 19th annual Bavarian Blast is regarded as New Ulm’s “biggest party of the year” and runs Thursday to Sunday.
The festival draws as many as 2,000 people per day, an organizer said.
“Our community has a lot of German heritage,” said Tom Furth, the celebration’s vice president. “It’s been said that we’re one of the most Indigenous communities in the country in that the majority of people who live in New Ulm descend from original settlers. This festival showcases that. The community embraces it as the main summer festival.”
The event’s daytime entertainment is German to German American, Furth said, and in the evenings it switches over to contemporary rock and country. Live music acts to perform include The Misfits, Hitchville, Hailey James and Big Top Radio, among others.
Tribute bands will include a Billy Joel tribute band, a Queen tribute band and a Tom Petty band.
There will be about six food vendors serving traditional fare such as German potato salad, sauerkraut and spaetzle as well as other fair foods, including mini doughnuts, corn dogs, hot dogs and hamburgers, smoked meats, ribeye sandwiches and pulled pork. Also featured will be a pizza vendor and the “best cheese curds you’ll ever eat,” Furth said.
Lemonade and slushie stands round off the food offerings. A full bar will also be available, with up to eight Schell’s Brewery beers on tap and locally sourced wine featured.
On Saturday, attendees can sign up to participate in a 7 p.m. stein-holding contest in the Schell’s Tent. There will be both men’s and ladies’ heats for the competition.
There’s also a Fun Run on Saturday, with a start time of 8 a.m. And Baggin’ At the Blast is Saturday at 2 p.m. The bean bag tournament is designed for players of all abilities.
Sunday at 10 a.m., there will be the nondenominational Morning Polka Service with all of the church music set to — you guessed it — polka. “It’s quite a nice experience,” Furth said.
A parade starting at the fairgrounds at 12:30 p.m. Sunday will feature 100 units along a route of about 15 blocks. The best place to watch, however, is the fairgrounds, he said, where there’s food and entertainment before and after the parade. “It’s easy to slide in there and watch.”
There’s also a designated polka hall, with stages on both ends and dance floors for each. “There will be polka music and dancing the entire weekend, Furth said.
“You get everything in one location from food to entertainment,” he said of the festival. “And by keeping it 16 and under free, we really encourage families to come out.”