Sprechen Sie Deutsch? (Translation: Do you speak German?) You don't have to speak German to enjoy GermanFest. It's going on from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hottel-Keller Homestead in Toms Brook. The property spans 392 acres, and it dates back to 1750 when the land was purchased via a land grant from Lord Fairfax.

Shelly Good-Cook, a GermanFest Planning Committee Member, says, "we started the festival as a way to raise money for the museum, and we wanted to let people know that the museum is back here. A lot of people maybe drive around on Back Road, and they just kind of drive right by and don't know we're here."

The museum offers a glimpse into the life of the German settlers. They have a historic loom on display which is original to the family. On the day of GermanFest somebody will be here in the loom room actually weaving on the loom. They also have an outdoor kitchen which people can tour.

Good-Cook adds, "one of the things they'll see is how Germans were able to bring the outdoors inside with running water. And they used this to prepare their food. They also used it to cool their items, so you'll be able to see where the spring came in from the outdoors. This is actually the headwaters for Toms Brook."

The festival takes place on the lush lawn in front of the home, and there are activities for the whole family.

"We'll have crafters, and we'll have lots of demonstrations. One of the things we'll have is a farrier who will be shoeing horses. We'll have potters. We'll have people demonstrating spinning."

There will also be some hands on children's activities provided by the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum. And don't forget about the food.

Good-Cook says, "in addition to the regular bratwurst and sauerkraut which you might expect, we'll have a vendor providing sauerbraten and warm German potato salad and red braised cabbage. We'll have German pretzels and nuts."

Admission is free, but there is a $5 per car parking fee. For more information visit http://www.germanfestva.org/.