A pancake breakfast sponsored by R&R Coffee Cafe kicked off the Aug. 11 Black Forest Festival, with this yearís theme of Farming in the Forest. About 3,000 people were in attendance, and Mother Nature provided perfect weather.An estimated 60 to 80 booths, from arts and crafts to businesses to organizations to local farms, were set up for festival goers. Several food trucks offered a variety of beverages and food. Visitors could tour the log school; watch a sawmill demonstration and take advantage of a wood sale.Kidsí entertainment included pony rides, games, water balls, chicken races and farm themed activities.Jon Karroll from KRDO emceed the parade (which had about 70 entries) and the outhouse races. Don Root, the 2018 Keeper of the Keys, rode in the parade ó followed by the 2017 KOK, Terry Stokka. The newly appointed Keeper of the Keys counselors, Mike and Janet Fortner, were part of the judgesí panel.Winners of the parade entries:The Black Forest Animal Sanctuary ó best animal; the Vista Ridge Cheer group ó best youth entry; the Colorado Springs Corvette Club ó best motor entry; Cub Scout Troop 70 ó best theme in overall entry; Pine Creek Band ó best music entry; The Black Forest Community Church ó best float.There were six entries in the outhouse races, with the Black Forest Ward winning first place and The Chicken Coop coming in second. Each outhouse included a rider in the driverís seat and a team of four pushing the outhouse. The last leg of the almost quarter-mile race was uphill.The 495íers Acoustic Band, the Forest Chorus and the USAFA Wild Blue Country Band were among the bands and musicians. After the festival, a country dance capped things off in the community club.Mary Fortner, festival organizer, said next yearís festival information will be provided on the Black Forest Community Center website beginning early June. Booth applications are available starting in May.
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| The Black Forest Ward won the outhouse race out of six entries; the Chicken Coop came in second. | |
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| Floats were judged on six categories; four of the winners are shown here. Photos by Leslie Sheley | |
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| The Kit Carson Riding Club participated in the Black Forest Festival parade Aug. 11. | |
