The heart of Black Forest bustled with festivities on Saturday, Aug. 12, in the thick of the annual Black Forest Festival; hosted by the Black Forest Community Club.A live band entertained onstage while guests enjoyed food and refreshments, provided by local vendors, and visited dozens of community-based vendor booths. Festivities for this yearís ìBlack Forest or Bustî festival kicked off early with a pancake breakfast hosted by R&R Coffee CafÈ; and ran well into the afternoon, with something for everyone.ìThis is a really great opportunity for the community to come out and show what they have to offer,î said Ian Scheimann, an R&R Coffee CafÈ employee who was helping serve refreshments like coffee and root beer and other sodas from Rocky Mountain Brewery.This yearís new western-themed features were tied into the festivalís traditional events, said event coordinator Shari Conley in a July news release. While visitors enjoyed festival staples like live entertainment, a jailhouse, outhouse races and a parade; they were also treated to new festivities; including ìpack a muleî and ìpan for gold,î provided by the Western Mining Museum. The Matoska dancers performed Native American dances; Twisted Pine Farms set up a ranch with a variety of livestock; the Pals of the Pines 4H Club sponsored a petting zoo; and also available were several new childrenís games; face painting; and more.While enjoying the festivities, visitors also came out to support local businesses owned by their friends and family.At the festivalís Pioneer Town, first-time visitor Teresa Dominguez watched over her grandchildren, Riley Byes, age 6, and Zane Byes, age 2, as they rode atop a metal horse. Dominguez traveled from Colorado Springs to support her friend Heather Boucher, owner of Black Tree Yoga Center. ìI decided to bring my grandkids so we can support my friend Heather and her yoga studio,î Dominguez said. ìWeíve had a wonderful time so far.îNear the stage, Lynn Bartle of Falcon, Colorado, spent time with family and friends visiting from out of town. ìThis is our first time here, and we love it,î said Valerie Allen, Bartleís cousin visiting from southern Illinois. ìThe food is delicious and this whole thing is great.îìI was looking for fun things for us to do and this popped up, so I thought it would be something nice we could all do,î said Lynn Bartle, who was also joined by her aunt, Loudene Strunk of Illinois, and her friend Heidi Wolf of CaÒon City.ìThe Black Forest Festival is one of the many community services offered by the Black Forest Community Club,î Conley said in the news release.Proceeds from the volunteer-run event benefit local charities and nonprofit organizations, she said.ìIt takes a community like we have in Black Forest to pull this off,î Conley said.
 |  | | (From left to right) Ben Brenner, Paul Nabeta and Eric Nabeta of Colorado Springs-based Ten Talents Farm were helping find forever homes for these adorable pups at the Black Forest Festival. The pups garnered plenty of attention from attendees. | (From left to right) R&R Coffee CafÈ helpers Savannah Harkins, Ian Scheimann, Jon Lee and Jeremy Holman helped serve cool refreshments like root beer and sodas provided by Rocky Mountain Brewery. |  |  |  | | Teresa Dominguez of Colorado Springs enjoyed festivities like Pioneer Town at the annual Black Forest Festival hosted by the Black Forest Community Club on Aug. 12. She brought along her grandsons, Zane Byes, 2 (left), and Riley Byes, 6, to enjoy the event. Photos by Breeanna Jent | Visiting from Southern Illinois, Valerie Allen (far left) and Loudene Strunk (second from left) attended the Black Forest Festival with their cousin/niece, Lynn Bartle of Falcon (second from right); and Bartleís friend Heidi Wolf of CaÒon City (far right). The ladies cooled off in the shade and enjoyed the festivalís live music. They were joined by Wolfís dog, Mojo. |
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