Editing New Ulm, Minnesota (section)

===Polka capital of the nation===
Music was always a part of life in New Ulm, especially with the arrival of the musically inclined [[Sudeten Germans]] in the 1870s.

[[Whoopee John Wilfahrt]]'s successful career opened the door to what became known as "Old-Time" music. After him, other local bands such as those led by [[Harold Loeffelmacher]], [[Babe Wagner]], [[Elmer Scheid]] and [[Fezz Fritsche]] kept New Ulm well known around the state and region. They even produced nationally popular recordings.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}

With the opening of [[George's Ballroom]] and the New Ulm Ballroom and the start of [[KNUJ (AM)|KNUJ]] radio station in the 1940s, New Ulm billed itself as the "[[Polka]] Capital of the Nation".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newulm.com/about/history.html |title=New Ulm Chamber of Commerce |website=www.newulm.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206132950/http://www.newulm.com/about/history.html |archive-date=6 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> New Ulm's Polka Days were known worldwide by polka lovers.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} The festival was held each year in July. Polka Bands played on Minnesota Street and people danced and drank beer until well past midnight.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}
[[Image:New ulm police.jpg|thumb|Parking meter checker stands by his police vehicle which is imprinted with the German word for police (Polizei). It is part of the town's highlighting its German ethnic origins. New Ulm, Minnesota, July 1974.]]