FIFTH ANNUAL OCTOBERFEST BEGINS SATURDAY AT BLACK FOREST VILLAGES

Five years ago, she came to Black Forest Village as a basket weaver and now Darla Macke helps organize the annual Octoberfest.

The fifth annual Octoberfest begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Black Forest Villages, four miles north of Cape Girardeau.

As a preview to the fall harvest festival, Macke will give weaving demonstrations to about 500 schoolchildren Friday.

The students will tour a replica of New Hanover, Germany, and get some hands-on experience with the crafts during their visit to the villages.

They will also be able to test their skills at the ring toss and straw bale maze. Other children's activities include pony rides.

The preview day began three years ago with only 100 children and grew to 500 this year, Macke said.

Black Forest Villages are part of the 1,400 acres of Black Forest. The villages comprise about 50 acres of land in the forest.

An 1870s replica of New Hanover, Germany, will be decorated in a fall harvest theme for the weekend celebration.

The village is more like a village of the Old West, Macke said.

Two years ago, Darla married her husband, Greg, at the Octoberfest. The wedding was part of the annual festival and was open to the public.

This year, no wedding is planned, but there will be plenty of crafts.

Working craft demonstrations include blacksmithing, leathersmithing, wood carving, basket weaving, quilting, a loom weaver and pioneer furniture making. All demonstrators will be dressed in period clothing.

Black Forest is four miles north of Cape Girardeau on County Road 638. From Highway 61, follow Route W to the stop sign, turn right and cross the bridge, turn left and watch for signs to the entrance.

For more information, contact Greg or Darla Macke at 335-0899.