Bavarian Blast ignites in New Ulm
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NEW ULM -- Bavarian Blast launches today with three bands on the NUVERA stage at the Brown County Fairgrounds.
Heidi and the Good Ole Boys of Sleepy Eye kick it off at 5:30 p.m. Mick Sterling presents "Heart & Soul" -- songs of Huey Lewis 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. The Fabulous Armadillos follow from 10 p.m. to midnight.
A number of bands that previously performed at Bavarian Blast including Squeezebox, Mollie B., Alpensterne and The Concord Singers are back. Other bands are new this year.
"Thursday is more of an adult event. Mick Sterling is a new band doing a couple hours of greatest hits. I'm really looking forward to it," said Bavarian Blast Committee Vice President Tom Furth.
Sterling's signature sound of soul, rock and blues is expanding to new audiences as he produces and performs shows that honor artists that influenced him.
He is the founder and director of The 30 Days Foundation, which assists Minnesota families in real-life financial crisis with one-time grants paid only to service providers.
The eight-piece Fabulous Armadillos have recreated country, Motown, heavy metal and '70s soft rock songs.
"We've got a lot of the great bands we usually have. One of the changes is a country (music Friday) night this year," Furth said. "We've got some great bands and finish with an Alabama tribute which should be a lot of fun."
Furth said new food vendors include Farm City Hub Club German potato salad and spaetzle plus pizzas made on site. Other food choices include slushies, candy nuts, pizzas made on site and bavarian pretzels plus a beer garden with Schell's products.
Friday Schell's tent music begins with the Concord Singers at 11 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. on the NUVERA stage. Squeezebox and Mollie B perform at 1:15 and 4:45 p.m., Alpensterne at 2:30 and 7 p.m., Alex Meixner Band at 6 p.m., Steven Paul on the NUVERA stage at 8 p.m. and Shane Martin doing "Songs of the South," an Alabama Tribute 10 p.m. to midnight.
Spring Grove native and 2022 Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inductee Mollie B is a multi-instrumentalist, award-winning vocalist and "Mollie B Polka Party" TV show host. The show airs on RFD-TV.
A stein holding contest is set for 7-8 p.m. Saturday. The Disco Kingz perform 8-10 p.m. followed by '80s rock including Bon Jovi and Aerosmith songs by The Hype until midnight.
"The Disco Kingz are very, very high energy and a lot of fun. It'll be hard for people not to get up and dance," said Furth.
Sunday entertainment includes a church service with Squeezebox & Mollie B at 10 a.m. The New Ulm Municipal Band performs 11 a.m. to 12:30. The parade is set for noon to 2 p.m.
The Schell's Hobo Band takes stage 2-3 p.m., Alex Meixner Band 3-4 p.m., Alpensterne 4-5 pm., the Concord Singers 5-6 p.m.
Parrothead Paradise, a tribute to Jimmy Buffet with New Ulm native Jay Kalk performs from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The KNUJ Polka Hall hosts polka bands 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Four day event passes are $50. Sale ends Thursday. Children 16 and under are free Friday through Sunday. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Weekend passes (Friday-Sunday) are $35 until Thursday. Please be prepared to pay with cash. An ATM is onsite. No pets allowed.
For more information including camping on the grounds, visit https://bavarianblast.com/entertainment/