Donkey Derby Days
Date/Time
6/22/2018 - 6/24/2018
Event Type(s)
Community Event Calendar
Event Description

Now in its 87th 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 inspired by the town’s resident donkey herd, believed to be distant relatives of the original donkeys from the town’s Gold Rush days. Enjoy games, live entertainment, heritage competitions and don’t miss meeting our new, baby donkeys!

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, this two-day jamboree is one of 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. Visit our street vendors, enjoy our live entertainment and participate in a host of other family activities, such as our heritage competitions or our activities for children–guaranteed to make this weekend the best Donkey Derby Days ever. Don’t forget Fido–we have a dog show where your best friend can compete for prizes!

Location
Cripple Creek
Bennett Avenue
Cripple Creek, CO 80813

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Details

Friday, June 22nd

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Various Food Vendors Open
7:00 pm – “Hot Night in the Old Town” Classic Melodrama at the Butte Theater

Saturday, June 23rd

7:00 am – Pancake Breakfast at Cripple Creek Fire Station
8:00 am – Two Mile High Club Booth Opens
8:00 am – Information Booth Opens
8:00 am – Petting Zoo next to Cripple Creek Parks & Recreation (West End) Opens
9:30 am – 11:00 am – 4th ID Band – West Stage
10:00 am – “Big Ass Challenge” Media Race – Double Eagle to 2nd St./ Donkey Rides Begin – Near Aspen Mine Center/ Kids Activities at the Park/ Parade Check In – Jail Museum
10:30 am – 11:45 amBJ Estares and Route 61 – East Stage
11:00 am – Beer Gardens Open
12:00 pm – Parade
1:00 pm – Photos with Baby Donkeys – East Stage
1:00 pm – “Hot Night in the Old Town” – Melodrama at the Butte Theater
1:30 pm – Draw for Donkey Derby Race – West Stage/ Announce Parade Awards – West Stage
1:45 pm – Western Shootout Gun Skit (TBD) – West Stage
2:00 pm – Donkey Derby Main Race – Jail Museum to District Museum
3:00 pm – Announce Donkey Derby Race Awards – West Stage/ New Donkey Baby Names Announced – West Stage
3:00 pm-6:00 pmDancing on the Sun  – East Stage
6:00 pm – Two Mile High Club Booth Closes
6:00 pm-9:00 pm – Saturday Night Street Dance Last Call Romance – West Stage
7:00 pm – “Hot Night in the Old Town” – Melodrama at the Butte Theater
8:30 pm – Beer Gardens Close

Sunday, June 24th

7:00 am – Pancake Breakfast at Cripple Creek Fire Station
8:00 am – Two Mile High Club Booth Opens
8:00 am – Information Booth Opens
8:00 am – Petting Zoo next to Cripple Creek Parks & Recreation (West End) Opens
10:00 am – Donkey Rides Begin – Near Aspen Mine Center
10:00 am – Kids Activities at the Park
10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Dog Show – West Stage
11:00 am – Photos with Baby Donkeys – East Stage
11:00 am – Beer Gardens Open
12:00 pm – 2:00 pmTejon Street Corner Thieves – East Stage
1:00 pm – Draw for Donkey Derby Race – West Stage/ “A Cripple Creek Ragtime Revue” – Melodrama at the Butte Theater
1:30 pm – Donkey Derby Main Race – Jail Museum to District Museum
3:00 pm – Businessmen’s Donkey Race – District Museum to 2nd St.
3:30 pm – Announce Donkey Derby Race & Businessmen’s Race Winners
5:00 pm – Two Mile High Club Booth Closes/ Information Booth Closes/ Beer Gardens Close

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6/22/2018 - 6/24/2018