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Thousands pack Cripple Creek for Donkey Derby Days
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| Participants in June 27 donkey races at Donkey Derby Days in Cripple Creek pick up bags of 'gold' at the first station on a route that started at the Old Homestead Parlor House Museum and ended at the Outlaws & Lawmen Museum. Photo by Norma Engelberg |
By Norma Engelberg
The 78th annual Donkey Derby Days in Cripple Creek started with a bang June 27 with thousands of visitors enjoying the sunny day strolling along Bennett Avenue, checking out the vendors, listening to stories and generally being entertained.
Saturday started with a pancake breakfast benefiting the Cripple Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Between breakfast and the noon parade, children could pan for gold — actually small shiny stones — and ride the donkeys and miniature pony’s and a tiny carnival ride while parents found information and bought souvenirs, books and other merchandise from a variety of vendors.
At noon the parade started at the County Courthouse end of Bennett Avenue and marched or rode past the throng of onlookers. Marching bands included the Pride City Band from Pueblo and the Denver Pipe Band.
Members of the Teller County Sheriff’s Posse drove their new vehicle in the parade while mounted posse members, including both Sheriff Kevin Dougherty and Undersheriff Marcus Woodward, rode their horses. They were among the many equestrian units in the parade, which also included the Pikes Peak Range Riders Rangerettes and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Girl of the West, April Biernat, and Aide to the Girls of the West, Jessica Greene.
The Al Kaly Shriners from Colorado Springs had a prominent showing in the parade. They rode horses, motorcycles, tractors, wagons, flivvers and tiny replicas of Model Ts and Corvettes, all with a focus on raising awareness of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
What Donkey Derby Day would be complete without donkey races? There were two, one on Saturday and another on Sunday. Some participants brought their own donkeys while others used the wild donkeys that call the city home. The domesticated donkeys usually win these races but attempts to get the wild donkeys to go where they’re led are often more entertaining.
There also were contests — everything from donkey calling to tobacco spitting to a hairy legs contest — story telling, skits, live music and a variety of foods to tempt any palate.
Saturday started with a pancake breakfast benefiting the Cripple Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Between breakfast and the noon parade, children could pan for gold — actually small shiny stones — and ride the donkeys and miniature pony’s and a tiny carnival ride while parents found information and bought souvenirs, books and other merchandise from a variety of vendors.
At noon the parade started at the County Courthouse end of Bennett Avenue and marched or rode past the throng of onlookers. Marching bands included the Pride City Band from Pueblo and the Denver Pipe Band.
Members of the Teller County Sheriff’s Posse drove their new vehicle in the parade while mounted posse members, including both Sheriff Kevin Dougherty and Undersheriff Marcus Woodward, rode their horses. They were among the many equestrian units in the parade, which also included the Pikes Peak Range Riders Rangerettes and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Girl of the West, April Biernat, and Aide to the Girls of the West, Jessica Greene.
The Al Kaly Shriners from Colorado Springs had a prominent showing in the parade. They rode horses, motorcycles, tractors, wagons, flivvers and tiny replicas of Model Ts and Corvettes, all with a focus on raising awareness of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
What Donkey Derby Day would be complete without donkey races? There were two, one on Saturday and another on Sunday. Some participants brought their own donkeys while others used the wild donkeys that call the city home. The domesticated donkeys usually win these races but attempts to get the wild donkeys to go where they’re led are often more entertaining.
There also were contests — everything from donkey calling to tobacco spitting to a hairy legs contest — story telling, skits, live music and a variety of foods to tempt any palate.
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