HermannFest 2020 Canceled

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HermannFest 2020 Canceled

NEW ULM — The HermannFest 2020 celebration has been officially canceled. The Hermann Monument Society made the official decision to cancel the annual celebration Thursday.

In a statement, the Hermann Monument Society said the decision was based on an inability to control crowds. Since the celebration takes place in city parks, the crowd cannot be limited to 250 people as COVID guidelines require. The 250 limits would also be too low of attendance for the festival to be financially feasible.

“In addition to all the measures that would need to be taken to comply with COVID preparedness, many of our loyal volunteers have expressed great reservations about helping this year,” the press release said. “The Hermann Monument Society did not take this decision lightly. We are a board made up of passionate individuals who look forward to producing this annual community event.”

The Hermann Monument Society gave a special thanks to the volunteers and the community for the ongoing support of HermannFest.

2019 ATTENDANCE

NEW ULM’S HERMANN MONUMENT

Attendance at New Ulm, MN’s famous Hermann Monument was 9,120 for the 2019 season. The Monument was open 115 days for an average of 79 persons per day. Attendance was below previous years because of weather related closures and to accommodate a contractor assessing the condition of the Monument structure.

Completed in 1897, the Monument was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. In 2000 the Monument received national and international recognition: the 106th Congress of the United States designated the Hermann Monument as an official symbol for the contributions of Americans of German heritage. Because New Ulm is “The Most German City in America” it is the appropriate location for this Monument.

The Hermann Monument Society, founded in 2006, is dedicated to the conservation, interpretation, promotion, and development of the Monument. Attendance has increased almost 60% under its tutelage.

The Monument closed for the season in October. Because of planned renovations in 2020 the reopening date is yet-to-be determined.

Who was Hermann (Arminius)?

Hermann (Arminius)

A Cheruscan chieftain negotiated an alliance of the Marsi, Bructeri, and Chatti tribes with his own warriors to defend Germania from Roman conquest.
In September of 9 AD, Arminius' cunning strategy led to the ambush and defeat of the 17th, 18th, and 19th legions of imperial Rome under the command of Publius Quinctilius Varus. This running battle, fought in the midst of the Teutoburg Forest ended abruptly in the Narrows near the Kalkriese Berg initiating a change in Tiberius Caesar's foreign policy. Although Caesar sent eight more legions to Germania, Arminius and his brave warriors continued their fight for freedom. Increasing casualties and a dwindling treasury during subsequent battles between Arminius and Germanicus Caesar eventually convinced Tiberius to abandon Germania in 17 AD.
With no common foe the alliance faltered; inter-tribal strife and jealousy led to Arminius' assassination by his own kinfolk.

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"We must tell our children and our children's children the story of the heroes of every land and every time who have given their lives, that liberty and fraternity and equality might survive among men."

Governor David Marston Clough-
Dedication of Hermann Monument
September 26, 1897

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