Thank You to Our 2023 Black Forest Festival Sponsors
The Black Forest Festival is an important community event and it could not happen without the generous support of our sponsors.
Please take a moment to learn more about these local businesses supporting the Black Forest Festival.
Thank You to our Sponsors in Kind
R&R Cafe for the Pancake Breakfast
Deep in the pine trees known as Black Forest north of Colorado Springs lies a quaint little craft coffee roasterie & home cookin’ restaurant called R&R. With breads & baked goods made from scratch daily; a menu filled with local, sustainable products; an obsessiveness with coffee; & a comfort you have to feel to believe, R&R has quickly grown to be a gathering place for the Black Forest community and a destination for folks up and down the Front Range of Colorado.
R&R provides the pancakes, drinks, and servers for the Pancake Breakfast. They also partner with the local Boy Scouts troop to round up additional staff to support this event. You are in for a treat if you come to the Pancake Breakfast.
Visit R&R Cafe online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Iron Knight Disposal for Trash and Disposal Services
Iron Knight Disposal is a second generation, locally owned and family operated trash service company, that proudly serves eastern El Paso County. Iron Knight offers a level of customer service that is unmatched.
To us customer service is not a goal or a priority, it is one of our core values. Why is this distinction so important? It’s because we understand that things like “goals” and “priorities” change, but VALUES never do. Customer service, service to our community and integrity are not just words we say, they are the values that we apply every day in our work.
Every day is just another opportunity to be great, so why not let Iron Knight Disposal be great for you? Satisfaction guaranteed or double your trash back!
Visit Iron Knight online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Louie's Pizza for Feeding Our Volunteers
Louie’s Pizza has proudly been serving The Colorado Springs area since 1985! The Sciarrotta family started in the pizza business in Detroit in 1969. Louie took over at age 16 and has been running pizzerias ever since. When the Sciarrotta family moved to Colorado Springs in 1985, they opened the Barnes and Oro Blanco location that is still serving the community hot, tasty, award-winning pizzas. Louie’s Pizza currently has 5 convenient locations in Colorado Springs all with pick-up, delivery and dine-in areas. Voted “Best In Colorado Springs” by the Gazette and Colorado Springs Indy several times and always in the top 3 “Best Tasting Pizzas” for the last 15 years.
As a locally family owned restaurant Louie’s is committed to giving a quality dining experience at a fair price. With lots of hard work we look forward to serving our customers needs. At Louie’s Pizza, its just good food, plenty of it, with reasonable prices. We hope you love our food as much as we love cooking them for you.
Visit Louie’s Pizza online at their website or on their Facebook page.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Volunteer Crew & Parking
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a Christ-focused community, doing our best to love and serve others.
Our buildings say “Welcome” for a reason. During our meetings, we sing, worship, and socialize. And there is something for everyone. We have programs for every age and stage of life. Each program helps our members live happier, more fulfilling lives.
We believe that Church isn’t just a place to worship God; it’s also a place to serve Him. And one of the best ways to serve God is by taking care of the people around us.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is pleased to support the Black Forest Festival with volunteers to serve with setup and cleanup. We are also pleased to support the Black Forest Community with free parking and restrooms available during the Festival.
Learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Paonia for Road Signs
Paonia is a Telecommunications Construction Company. Our goal is to provide clients nationwide with the best service in the industry. We tailor our projects to their individual needs. Our comprehensive service model allows our team to serve our clients in a multitude of ways. We would be happy to hear from you about your needs.
Learn more about Paonia online at their website.
L3 ScreenPrinting & Embroidery for Discounted Printing Services
L3 Screenprinting & Embroidery is your full service custom screen printing and embroidery solution. L3 has the ability to create promotional and corporate apparel from small orders to thousands of items at competitive prices.
L3 provides the best customer service at competitive prices using state of the art high tech equipment and dedicated employees who understand that craftsmanship is the constant pursuit of perfection. We can beat our competition in terms of customer service and price without sacrificing quality.
L3 employs professional, in-house artists and production personnel to make sure all work is the highest quality possible before it goes out the door.
Visit L3 online at their website or on their Facebook page.
The Sign Girls for signage
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, putting on an event, or need a sign for your small business, The Sign Girls are here to help you create a personalized sign for any of your needs.
We have pre-designed yard signs and banners available to choose from in our shop or we can create a custom one that’s just right for you. We also have Yard Card Rentals available at our Colorado Springs location! Yard Cards are a unique and fun way to celebrate the next BIG milestone in your loved ones life. They are perfect for parties, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, babies, weddings, welcoming home and so much more!
We take great pride in custom designing our signs to fit the color scheme and style of your occasion, event, or small business, and our Yard Card Rentals create a lasting impression by using vibrant colors and sparkle on every yard card to “WOW” the recipient.
Visit The Sign Girls online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Black Forest Bistro for Ice and Volunteer Parking
Food Network Winner; Owner / Chef Deanna Johnson and her “all gal” crew are delighted to be serving you at the award winning Black Forest Bistro, Black Forest and Shoup.
Visit Black Forest Bistro online at their website or on their Facebook page.
BIg R for Straw Bales
Big R always has been, actively involved in community-based partnerships that enrich the lives of our customers and communities. This commitment to our communities is a long-standing tradition at our company, and it forms the foundation from which we operate.
Since 1962 Big R has been “The One Stop Shop” for farm, clothing, ranch and home. We supply pet, clothing, footwear, sporting goods, hardware, automotive and more.
Visit us often to see our latest ads, new products, and store events! Follow our Facebook page for updates on current sales, new products and locations, and to let us get to know you a little better!
Visit Big R online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Cross Fellowship Church for Providing Parking & Shuttle Services
Our mission at Cross Fellowship Church is that we live to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, by gathering in Jesus’ name, growing in God’s grace, and going on life’s mission – some across the seas and all across the street.
Our vision is to make a difference one (won) by one.
We provide and invest in an abundance of ministries, to meet all of our members and our communities where they are. We provide ministries for men and women, for those of all ages of life; from the nursery, to youth and young adults, as well as multiple adult life groups.
Visit Cross Fellowship Church online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Black Forest Nursery for Auction Item Donation
We are a family-owned nursery which operates year-round. In addition to gorgeous plants and trees, we offer metal decorations, sculpture and metal art, and seasonal decorations.
Come visit us to find the next great addition to your yard or garden!
Visit Black Forest Nursery on their Facebook page.
Keg 1 Colorado, LLC for Supplying Beverages for the Family Beer Garden
KEG 1 Colorado, LLC is southern Colorado's preferred beer and beverage distributor, delivering a vast portfolio of domestic, import and craft beers and non-alcoholic beverages in Colorado.
With willful determination to achieve excellence, KEG 1, LLC strives to be the leader in delivering both quality products and exceptional service to every customer. Our vision is a sales organization with internal accountability for operating within our philosophies of competitiveness, best practices, strong community involvement and career establishment for our employees.
KEG 1, LLC is proud to sponsor the Family Beer Garden during the 2022 Black Forest Festival.
Visit Keg 1 Colorado, LLC oline at their website or on their Facebook page.
Rod & Tiffany Coles for Sponsoring the Children's Entrepreneur Market
Thank you to Rod and Tiffany Coles for paying the BFCC Booth Fee for all members of the Children’s Entrepreneur Market. Rod and Tiffany are active members of the community. Rod is a Volunteer Assistant Tennis Coach for the Pine Creek Varsity Girls Tennis Team; and Tiffany is a Lead Volunteer for the Black Forest Festival, she organizes the Black Forest Biergarten Fundraiser, and she serves as Board Chair for the Black Forest Community Club.
As retired business owners, Rod and Tiffany chose to sponsor the Children’s Entrepreneur Market to remove as many financial barriers as possible and encourage participation in this event by local Young Entrepreneurs.
Republic Services for Portable Restroom Services
Republic Services is the only major diversified environmental services company in North America offering services in solid waste management, liquid waste management, and infrastructure development.
With strategically located operations across Canada and the United States, Republic Services is uniquely equipped to undertake practically any environmental challenge, with unparalleled commitment to safety and customer service.
We offer a wide range of environmental and industrial services to businesses, communities and households, providing a consolidated and sophisticated approach to meeting our customers’ needs.
We have a rich history of providing dependable recycling and waste services across the U.S., and today, we’re a leader in the environmental services industry— partnering with our customers for a more sustainable world.
Visit Republic Services online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Thank You to our Gold Sponsors
Farmers State Bank
Farmers State Bank is a family-owned and customer focused community bank with family roots right here in Eastern Colorado. Founded in 1918 by Albert L. Pieper, the Pieper clan has deep roots in banking and strives to keep its independent family-owned and operated business focused on helping its community grow and remain prosperous.
Farmers State Bank, its board members, and employees are committed to community services. The Board of Directors encourages Bank employees to take part in community activities and to become involved in community organizations through which the Bank obtains first-hand knowledge of the needs in the communities we serve. Through these community contacts, we are able to obtain information that helps to make determinations with respect to how to best meet the needs of the community.
Your Community. Your Bank. Your FSB.
Visit Farmers State Bank online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Conexon Connect
Conexon Connect, one of the nation’s newest and most exciting providers of fiber internet services, is the ISP arm of rural fiber-optic network design and construction management leader Conexon.
Conexon Connect is committed to bridging the digital divide in America through localized service. We partner with electric cooperatives across the country to deliver world-class fiber broadband (high-speed internet and digital voice) services to rural residents and communities.
The Connect approach is a unique architecture and methodology that complements the existing electric cooperative’s infrastructure (grid). In Colorado, we partner with Mountain View Electric Association (MVEA). We overlay the infrastructure with fiber-optic cable to offer lightning-fast speeds and reliability in an extremely efficient way that allows the cooperative to provide world-class internet speeds at very affordable prices.
You haven’t experienced fast internet until you’ve experienced fiber-fast Conexon Connect.
Visit Connect online at ConexonConnect.com.
Michael Turner / Liv Sotheby's International Realty
Michael Turner is a 6th generation Colorado resident and has been in real estate for 21 years, closing over $265,000,000 in sales volume in the front range regions — spanning from Colorado Springs to Denver. For the past 8 years, he has earned the title of the #1 agent in Black Forest, Colorado, based on the number of transactions from 2015-2022. Michael has an employing broker license and works with the national leader in luxury sales, Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
As a ranch owner and resident in the Black Forest region of Colorado Springs, himself, Michael is an avid outdoorsman who specializes in selling complex properties like ranches, homes on acreage, vacant land and luxury estates. He is a certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist with The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and consistently goes above and beyond for his clients to provide unmatched knowledge in his region. He has an expert level of knowledge concerning complex Colorado water rights, property subdivision, acreage, large ranch, luxury home sales and investment properties. He possesses a sincere appreciation and passion for Colorado lifestyles and real estate.
Visit Michael Turner online at https://homesbyturner.com or visit his Facebook page.
Palmer Divide Disposal
As a small family-owned business servicing only the Black Forest community we understand the unique challenges Black Forest resident’s experience when searching for a waste and recycling provider.
With over 2 decades of experience in the waste management industry Palmer Divide Disposal has the services and professionals you have been waiting for. When it comes to trash service and waste collection, Black Forest residents now have access to the reliable and efficient services provided by Palmer Divide Disposal. We offer recycling options in addition to standard trash removal, making it easy for residents to do their part in reducing their environmental impact.
Black Forest residents can rest easy knowing that their trash service and waste collection needs are taken care of by the professionals at Palmer Divide Disposal.
Visit Palmer Divide Disposal online or on their Facebook page.
Mountain View Cafe & Catering
Learn more about Mountain View Cafe and view their menu on their Facebook page.
The Omelette Parlor
The Colorado Springs Omelette Parlor was originally home to Ruth Etting, a popular singing star from the late 1920’s. During her retirement she and her husband opened a restaurant at this location called the T-Bone Club, which later turned into The Hackney House as many locals remember. The Omelette Parlor was bought independently back in 1993 and has since been operated by the Quintalon Corporation. During this time The Omelette Parlor has received numerous awards by the Independent and the Gazette including Best Breakfast and Best Pancakes.
We are located at 900 E. Fillmore St., Colorado Springs
Visit The Omlette Parlor on their website or on their Facebook page.
Thank You to our Silver Sponsors
Firehouse on the Run
This staple of the Black Forest community has been open for over 11 years. All meat is smoked on-site, and we offer four house BBQ sauces: Blackforest Burnt Onion; Sweet and Tangy; Wildside; and Bab-B-Nero.
We pride ourselves on our authentically smoked meat. From start to finish the smoke flavor is all-natural hickory cooked to perfection.
Take-out and pick-up options are available, but we would love to see you in person! We have constructed comfortable outdoor seating where you can enjoy delicious food and live music in beautiful Black Forest.
Visit Firehouse On The Run online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Thank You to our Bronze Sponsors
Marchbank Family Memorial
The Marchbank Family has lived in Black Forest since 1963. Don and Vera Marchbank had lived in the same home until their deaths – Vera passed in March of 2021. Jim and Kelly built their home on adjoining property. Their children Patrick and Sean were raised true Black Forest kids walking through the woods to Grandma’s house, riding their dirt bikes in the trees, and walking a mile to play with the neighbors.
In August of 2017, Patrick Marchbank died as a result of a traumatic brain injury while riding in a vintage motocross race – something he had done hundreds of time before. Patrick had just graduated from Pine Creek High School. He played soccer including in the Black Forest League, ran track and was a percussionist for Pine Creek Marching Band, Winter Percussion, Jazz Combo and Symphonic Band. He had planned to go to Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Arizona to become a Yamaha Certified Mechanic.
Since his death, his family keeps his memory alive. At https://hobomotorsports.com/ you can read about his story. Donations have come from all over the country. From these donations, a scholarship in his name was started through the Education Opportunity of Black Forest for students who are pursuing a trade or vocational education. Information regarding scholarships may be found at www.eofblackforest.org/. This past spring, his sister Sean won his scholarship as she plans to attend a vet tech school in the fall. Other donations in Patrick’s memory afforded Pine Creek High School’s music program a new drum set. A scholarship was also formed at MMI from an auction of a donated motorcycle. Other organizations that are important to Patrick and his family are Life Network, Colorado Donor Alliance, Road2Recovery, Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT), and Pine Creek Eagle Band Boosters. Please consider donating to them in the future in honor and memory of Patrick Marchbank.
Black Forest Brewing Co.
Black Forest Brewing Company began with a passion for brewing and a love of community. We are proud to be a truly local brewery where you can bring your whole family to enjoy new things around familiar faces.
At the Black Forest Brewing Co., you’ll find pieces of the Black Forest in everything we do – whether it’s from our bar shelves – handcrafted from reclaimed wood from the Black Forest Fire – or from the local ingredients in our brews which we get from local farmers and businesses. We are proud to call the Black Forest home.
The next time you’re in the Forest, we invite you to come gather with us. Come see what Black Forest has to offer and enjoy local brews from local businesses. We are proud to be your Black Forest Gathering Place.
Visit Black Forest Brewing Co. online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Honey Tea & Me
Honey Tea and Me is a local honey and tea shop located in heart of Black Forest!
Honey Tea and Me offers freshly brewed teas in many flavors and varieties. We also offer organic teas. Our local honey is delicous and available in a variety of flavors.
Come in and see why we have a 5.0 rating on Facebook with reviews like these:
“Imagine walking into a shop and it makes you feel like sunflowers and honey and summer time and everything is good in the world! I love this place it’s so great and the people who work here are even better!”
“Super delicious honey and such an amazing lady would makes makes them! The peanut butter cream, dark chocolate cherry, and salted caramel are my favorites!!!!”
Visit Honey Tea and Me on their Facebook page.
Cotton Blossom Caramel Boutique
Cotton Blossom Caramel offers Gourmet Caramel Sauces, Chews & Treats, right in the heart of Black Forest.
Our products are hand-crafted in small batches resulting in smooth, buttery goodness that is simply irresistible! At Cotton Blossom Caramel you’ll find gourmet Caramel Sauces, Chews & Treats made in multiple varieties!
Thank you for inviting Cotton Blossom Caramel into your hearts and homes, My goal here is very simple… It’s simply to make your life sweeter, one spoonful at a time!
Visit Cotton Blossom Caramel Boutique on their website or on their Facebook page.
The Chicken Coop
The Chicken Coop has drink specials daily, poker every Wednesday and Friday nights, plus pool tables, dart boards, and a great back yard, all in the heart of the Black Forest.
Join us for live music every Saturday and enjoy the best bands in Colorado Springs.
Come out and see for yourself why our reviews say things like:
“At the Coop you’re always family! It’s Cheers in the Forest! Absolutely love it and would recommend it to anyone who just wants to relax and be around down to earth good people.”
“Absolutely blown away by how community-oriented the Chicken Coop is and the camaraderie among their patrons. Fantastic location and energy, pool tables, live music, and great bar and people!! Highly recommend!”
The Chicken Coop. It’s a clucking good time.
Visit the Chicken Coop on their Facebook page.
Rockin' B Feed & Supply
Rockin’ B has been a part of Black Forest since 1978 when it first opened. It has always been a family owned and operated business. Bob Norris started working here as a teenager and became the owner in 2012.
We know what your animals mean to your family and your business. That is why we are passionate about finding the best products for your animals. Whether it is a family pet or livestock, it is important that the products you bring home for your animals do what you need them to.
We promise to do the hard work of finding your the best feed for your animals. And helping you have the knowledge necessary to choose what’s right for them.
With over 20 years of history in Black Forest, we provide the service and experience that you have come to expect and deserve. In need of a feed for your horses, dogs, goats, and cattle? Look no further!
Visit Rockin’ B Feed & Supply online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Lavender & Thyme Holistic Skin Therapy + Apothecary
Lavender & Thyme is Colorado’s only Vintage Mobile Apothecary & Skin Spa.
We are your one-stop holistic shop for Botanical Skin Therapy and Apothecary products, and we are conveniently located in Black Forest. We focus on Holistic skin treatments, whole body detoxification, and working on imbalances in the body to bring the body back to homeostasis.
The products we carry are handcrafted locally, and help replace toxic products with products that do not contain hormone disruptive ingredients. We carry high end organic spa quality skincare specially crafted for our clients/members.
We also host Make & Take classes and provide skin care , reflexology, and detoxing services.
Visit Lavender & Thyme for organic herbal apothecary ingredients, hand-crafted skin and body care products, and other gifts and products formulated from local practitioners.
Visit Lavender & Thyme online at their website or on their Facebook page.
S-5!
In 1992, S-5! created an entirely new market and its own distinctive category of engineered, manufactured metal roof attachments. S-5! changed the way people thought about metal roofs – making it simple and easy to mount things to metal roofs in prudent, engineered ways that cause no harm to the roof.
S-5!’s zero-penetration clamps mount almost anything to standing seam metal roofs without violating warranties. S-5! delivers a prudent and permanent solution for the attachment of rooftop ancillaries, such as snow guards, service walkways, antennae, HVAC and more.
With nearly 60 issued patents and a track record dating back to 1992 as the industry’s leading provider of metal roof attachment technologies, S-5! offers you a permanent solution to a 1,000-year-old problem.
Visit S-5! online at their website or on their Facebook page.
Black Forest Festival Sponsorship Opportunities
The Black Forest Festival is a longstanding event in the Black Forest Community. By sponsoring the festival, local businesses support the community in which they operate, and they also help to promote their business brand to members of the community.
All money raised goes directly toward festival expenses. If there are any net proceeds from the Black Forest Festival, 100% of these proceeds are donated to local charities and non-profit organizations. Sponsorship levels range from $200 – $600; this is a great opportunity for businesses to build brand awareness while supporting the local Black Forest community.