Thunder, fireworks in the valley

NEW ULM — HermannFest, the celebration marking the anniversary of the Hermann’s victory over the Romans in Teutoburg Forest in northern Germany more than two thousand years ago, drew big crowds to Harman and Hermann Heights Parks Saturday.

Music, Civil War-era cannon fire, fireworks, high school class reunions, beer, German food and celebration of German culture included the Wendinger Band and Leon Olsen, the Concord Singers, the New Ulm Municipal Band and Jonah and the Whales who capped off the musical entertainment.

Eight Civil War-era cannon groups including the New Ulm Battery, several from Iowa and Wisconsin and South Dakota participated in the annual Thunder in the Valley performance. Each year the cannon groups collobrate with the New Ulm Municipal Band to celebrate New Ulm’s historic landmark. The cannon group serves as percussion. The climax of the performance included a rendition of the 1812 Overture.

Members of the cannon groups said they’ve been coming to HermannFest for many years and it remains one of the few celebrations of its kind.

One of the former re-enactment favorites was Pipestone Civil War Days. It brought historians, educators, musicians, artists and re-enactors together for 30 years before it ceased to exist a number of years ago.

When it was cancelled, the Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau may have said it best, quoting philosopher George Santayana “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

High school class reunions included the Cathedral Classes of 1978 and 1993 and the New Ulm High School classmates.

Jonah and the Whales got people dancing, especially young children. Hermann Monument Society President Tom Furth it was fun quirk of the evening music that the young children all started dancing up front near the stage, with their parents hanging around the back. The parents would eventually join the festivities as the concert appealed to multiple generations. Jonah and The Whales played cover songs from every era a music and include quick costume changes in the performances.

The fireworks didn’t disappoint with more than 20 minutes of continuous, rapidly-firing blasts of light over the Hermann Monument.

The biggest HermannFest change this year was having performances at Hermann Heights and Harman Park in an effort to extend musical offerings.

The event continues in New Ulm thanks to cooperation from the City of New Ulm, New Ulm Park and Recreation, Fire and Police Departments.

Hermann Monument Society President Tom Furth talked about the organization.

“It is one of the only non-profit organizations around with an exclusive mission to support a city-owned facility, the Hermann Monument,” said Furth. “Every dollar we raise goes back to the monument. Our sole purpose is to preserve the monument. Right now, we are confronted with having to reconstruct the base. HermannFest is our main fund-raiser. We thank everyone who came out to support us.”

Basically, everything below the Hermann statue needs replacement. The plan is to disassemble the monument to create a blueprint to allow monument reconstruction.

Disassembly cost and rebuilding will be extensive. Those wishing to donate to the cause are encouraged to visit the monument website and become a Hermann Monument Society member. Park paver stones are available for purchase.