877-858-4653
Home Site Map

Events
Cruise Above
the Clouds
Fall Festival
Cemetery
Tours
Aspen
Tours
Gold Camp
Christmas
Ice Festival
SummerFest 2008
Chili Cook-Off
July 4th
Celebration
America's Armed
Forces
Parade Downloads
Vendor
Downloads
Calendar

          Request Visitor 
Information



  CRIPPLE CREEK DONKEY DERBY DAYS



June 27-29, 2008
Now in its 77th year, Donkey Derby Days tops the list of favorite Cripple Creek events. People from all over the world descend on downtown, drawn by a chance to watch a race featuring the town’s resident donkey herd, distant relatives of the original donkeys from the town’s Gold Rush days. Enjoy games, live entertainment, heritage competitions and other family activities at Donkey Derby Days, Cripple Creek’s biggest event of the year. 

The origins of this popular Colorado donkey festival date back to the 1930s, when local businessman Charley Lehew thought a Cripple Creek festival would attract people in the summer months. It wasn’t long before he and two business partners settled on donkey racing. Together, they built a race track, solicited advertising and arranged concessions and entertainment in time for the first-ever Donkey Derby Days festival.

Today, their two-day jamboree is the most popular of all the Cripple Creek events held throughout the year. And admission to this exciting Cripple Creek festival is 100% FREE!

The donkey races aren’t the only things going on this weekend, however. Street vendors, live entertainment and a host of other family activities, including a petting zoo, wood carving and sand sculpting competitions and a quad bungee jumping machine, guarantee this will be the best Donkey Derby Days ever.


Schedule of Events:

Friday night, June 27th

Steak Dinner
Kick off this exciting Cripple Creek festival weekend on Friday night with a steak dinner and live entertainment provided by River Crossing.

Silver Screen Saloon Show
During breaks in the show, stick around for some Old-Time Country Dance Instruction with Sharon Guli. When you return home from our popular Colorado donkey festival, you’ll have some brand new steps to show off.

With everything going on before the race even starts, it’s easy to see why we’re so excited about this year’s Donkey Derby Days. For more information about the Friday night Steak Dinner and the Silver Screen Saloon Show, please contact the Heritage Center at 1-877-858-4653.



Saturday, July 28th

Take a break from our Cripple Creek festival and join the Gold Camp Victorian Society for more Old West activities!

Schedule of Events:


EVENT NAME: 2008 Donkey Derby Days Steak Dinner
ORGANIZATION: The Two Mile High Club &
The City of Cripple Creek
CONTACT: Marketing & Events Department

Friday night, June 27th


Kick off the weekend Friday night with a steak dinner and live entertainment provided by
River Crossing’s Silver Screen Saloon Show!
During breaks in the show, Old-Time Country Dance Instruction will be provided by Sharon Guli.

For more information about the Friday night Steak Dinner and the Silver Screen Saloon Show, please contact the Heritage Center at 1-877-858-4653.






Saturday, July 28th

Join Cripple Creek’s Gold Camp Victorian Society for more Old-West activities!

11:00 AM – Old West Shootout at the Jail Museum
Noon – A Parade!
1:00 PM – Old West Shootout near the District Museum
2:45 PM – Old West Hanging at Center Stage
3:00 PM - An Ice Cream Social at 2nd & Bennett
4:00 – 7:00 PM
FREE!
The Gold Dust Dance!

Old-Time Dance Instruction provided by Sharon Guli of River Crossing.
No experience necessary!

Live music provided by The Shadow Mountain String Band

For more information about Saturday’s activities, please call the Gold Camp Victorian Society at 719-689-9795.

Donkey Derby Day Schedule of Events


Friday, June 27th:
8:00 AM    Vendor Check-in                   
5  -  8:00 PM    Dinner                       
5  -  9:00 PM    CanCan Dancers                   


Saturday, June 28th:
6:00 AM    NATRC
7  -  10:00 AM    Fireman’s Breakfast                   
7  -  9:00 AM    Vendor sign up, Open by 9AM            
Donkey Rides
9  -  5:00 PM    Petting Zoo           
10:00 AM    Donkey Calling Contest                
10 - 6:00 PM    Bungee                        
10 - 3:00 PM    Kids Events                       
10 - 3:00 PM    Heritage Trail Treasure Hunt               
10 - Noon    Parade Sign up                   
11 - 7:00 PM    MUNCH/Beer - Chicken Bingo           
11:00 AM    Ladies Skit                       
11:30 - Noon    Balloon guy                       
Noon - 1:00PM    Parade                       
1:00PM     Mountain Mama/Man                   
1:00PM    Victorian Shootout                    
1:30 PM    Parade Awards - Announce Race Participants   
2 - 3:00 PM    Old Miner's Amateur Burro Race               
2:45 PM    Smokin’ Guns Hanging               
3 - 4:00 PM    Ice Cream Social - Awards for Race           
3 - 7:00 PM    Wood Carving                       
4 - 7:00 PM    Gold Dust Dance                   


Sunday, June 29th:
9 - 5:00 PM    Petting Zoo                       
10 - 2:00 PM    Wood Carving                       
10 - 3:00 PM    Kids Events - Card collecting thing           
10 - 3:00 PM    Heritage Trail Treasure Hunt               
11:00 AM    Tobacco Spitting Contest               
11:30 AM    Mountain Couple                   
Noon        Dog Contest                       
12 - 4:15 PM    MUNCH - Chicken Bingo - Breaks           
1:30 PM    Old Miner's Amateur Burro Race       
2:30 PM    Beard Contest                       
2:30 PM    Businessman’s Race                   
2:45 PM    Announce Winners                   
3:00 PM    Gates Open for Gin Blossoms               
3:30 PM    Judging for Wood Carving Event           
4:00 PM    Gin Blossoms Concert               


 



Powered by DublinBlue.com