EVENTS
Pre-Blast
Thursday, 4:30 – 11:00 pm
4:30 PM Heide and the Good Ol’ Boys (Stage #1)
6:00 – 8:00 PM Free Fallin’ (Tom Petty) (Stage #4)
8:30 – 11:00 PM Takin’ It To The Limit (Eagles) (Stage #1-3)
BAVARIAN BLAST 5K/10K
Postponed for 2021
The Bavarian Blast Run/Walk 5K Sign up for the Bavarian Blast 5K & 10K! Get a group of friends or co-workers together and form a team! Team awards will be given to the “Best Themed” team and also to the team with the most participants!
Register for the 5K or 10K here!
Sponsored by the American Legion Post #132. All proceeds will go to American Legion Community Youth Projects.
DOG RACE
Saturday, 1:30 PM
Many German festivals hold Wiener Dog Races, or Dachshund Races, which date back to the late 19th Century. The Bavarian Blast race is not limited to the German Dachshund, but open to other small breed dogs as well! Don’t have a dog in this race? Come cheer these furry pals on! Fun for the whole family!
Registration information:
Call 888-463-9856 to reserve your place in the race! Registration is free, prizes awarded to top 3 finalists. Free admission to dog owners (1 free Saturday admission per dog registered).
BARREL RACE
Saturday, 3:30 PM
A highlight of the Bavarian Blast games is the Barrel Race! Watch teams of two navigate a beer barrel through a maze using long wooden sticks as their only tool. Don’t feel like sitting on the sidelines? Find a friend and test your cooperative skills!
Registration information:
Register 1 hour before the event. Registration is free, prizes awarded to top 3 finalists.
SAUERKRAUT EATING CONTEST
Saturday, 5:30 PM
Sure, sauerkraut is available every day of the year here in New Ulm, but let’s make this interesting! Participants line up at long wooden tables to get their share of the kraut. Eins, Zwei, Drei, Gehen! Not a sauerkraut fan? This is as much fun for spectators as is it for participants! Come show your support! No registration necessary.
STEIN HOLDING CONTEST
Saturday, 7:00 PM
Schell’s Tent
Show your strength and show your endurance!
No registration necessary. Arrive at the main tent about 15 minutes early if you’d like a chance to participate.
POLKA SERVICE WITH MOLLIE B.
Sunday, 10:00 am
Schell’s Tent
Don’t miss this unique chance to attend church services with a polka twist! Hosted by nationally-known musician Mollie B.
Take in all you can on this last day of Bavarian Blast. Get to the grounds early for breakfast made by our local Farm City Hub Club beginning at 8:30 am. The Original German Band will perform for your enjoyment from 8:30 – 10:00 am, then Mollie B. will take the stage for the polka service.
New Ulm’s biggest parade of the year begins at 12:30 pm on Sunday. Since you’re already here early, save your seats along the parade route through the festival grounds.
THE FOOD OF BAVARIAN BLAST
It wouldn’t be a German festival without German food! Bratwurst, burgers, German potato salad, spatzle (with or without gravy), sauerkraut, pulled pork, and strudel – is your mouth watering yet?! Thanks to a variety of local food vendors (New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club and 4H to name a few) you can find these great German options. Most of the volunteers preparing this food have grown up with German recipes passed down from generation to generation. You can’t beat the food at this festival!
Of course, Bavarian Blast is a German-American Music Festival and you’ll be able to find both German and American food options to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
The Farm-City Hub Club will be serving rolls, coffee, and juice (no hot breakfast) on Sunday morning, beginning at 8:30 am. Bring the family and be entertained by the Original German Band (8:30 – 10:00 am). Sunday is a day you don’t want to miss! After breakfast is a the unique chance to attend Polka Service with nationally-known Mollie B. And of course, the highlight of the day is the Bavarian Blast Parade at 12:30 pm.
Along with the good food, New Ulm is known for its good beer! Cold beer from our local Schell’s Brewery (Minnesota’s oldest brewery) will be served. Not a beer drinker? We’ve got you covered! A full bar is available, along with delicious local wines from Morgan Creek Vineyards. And for the kids, 1919 Root beer will be on tap all weekend long! Did you know 1919 Root Beer is made right here in New Ulm?
GERMAN IMPORTS
Looking for authentic lederhosen or dirndl so you can dress up for Bavarian Blast? German Specialty Imports will have items for sale at the fest! Your one stop German source. Please contact Erika, the owner, by phone at 952-270-8095 or email at erika@germanspecialtyimport.com if you want her to bring something special for you from her store, since she can’t bring the whole store!
