BLACK FOREST VILLAGES: 7TH ANNUAL CRAFTFEST CONTINUES TODAY

More than 3000 people are expected at this weekend's Black Forest Villages 7th Annual Craftfest. The festival will be held today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year the Wild West Shows have been combined with the Craftfest to give people more reasons to come out to Black Forest Villages on County Road 638.

The Wild West Shows will be held around 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. according to Greg Macke, manager.

Each year Black Forest Villages holds a Craftfest, Wild West Shows, Octoberfest and Haunted Villages to entertain people from all over the region.

The Craftfest was moved back to the May 17 & 18 date for weather reasons. It used to be held during the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive Weekend.

There will be traditional craft demonstrations performed for visitors.

Craftfest goers will see baskets, leather art, pottery, quilting, blacksmithing, flintknapping and woodcarving demonstrated in front of their eyes.

There will also be barbecue, kettle corn, funnel cakes and more for any hungry visitors. Ice cream lovers may want to stop at Pop and Johnny's Ice Cream booth.

In addition to the Wild West Shows, crafts and food there will also be antiques on display, BLuegrass Music performed by Coyote Creek Band and Ol' Tyme Sawmill demonstrations.

The replica village that was first conceived by Burton Gerhardt in the 1960s features an old time bank, saloon, firehouse and much more to set the scene of the Old West.

Gerhardt made the village into his own personal museum.

Macke used to work for Gerhardt. "I used to work for him on weekends."

When Gerhardt died the family asked Macke to watch the place for them.

Later the land would be bought by another person and in 1989 it was bought by East Perry Lumber Co.

In 1990, Macke leased the village area of the tree farm from the lumber company.

"I always liked it out here."

Macke said that visitors are in for a lot of fun this weekend.

During the Wild West Shows the bank will get robbed and there will be a shootout on the street.

The reenactors use black powder in their guns. They use both replica and authentic guns for the show, Macke said.

In the saloon, there will be saloon girls and out on the street a medicine man will try his best to sell Snake Oil.

After the gunfight is over the medicine man goes around reviving all the dead cowboys with his elixir.

Macke said that there will also be a hanging in the middle of the town.

The money from the festival will go towards other festivals to be held at Black Forest Villages.