Come to downtown Cripple Creek for the chance to watch a race inspired by the town's donkey herd -- it's the Donkey Derby Days. Enjoy games, live music, heritage competitions and, of course, donkeys!
For more than 80 years, Donkey Derby Days has been a favorite pastime for the folks of Cripple Creek. People from across Colorado and beyond flock to downtown for the chance to watch the races. The donkeys are believed to be distant relatives of the original donkeys from the town's Gold Rush days. The Derby Days date back all the way to the 1930s and were created by a local businessman named Charley Lehew, who thought a festival would bring more people into Cripple Creek. It was the idea of Lehew and some of his business partners to make donkey racing the main highlight of the festival, so they built a donkey race track, found some sponsors, food, and entertainment vendors, and the Donkey Derby Days were born.
Now you'll have the opportunity to be a part of a rich history!
When: June 24-25
Where: Downtown Cripple Creek, Colorado
Admission: FREE
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, June 24 7 a.m. -- Pancake Breakfast at Cripple Creek Fire Station 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Band (TBD) on West Stage 10 a.m. -- "Big Ass Challenge" Media Race | Donkey Rides Begin | Kids Activities in the Park | Parade Check-In 10:30 a.m. -- Vote for New Baby Donkey Names 11 a.m. -- Beer Gardens Open 11:30 a.m. -- Best Beard Contest 12 p.m. -- Parade 1 p.m. -- Photos with Baby Donkeys | "After Dark" with Olio 1:30 p.m. -- Draw for Donkey Derby Race | Parade Awards 1:45 p.m. -- Western Shootout Gun Skit 2 p.m. -- Donkey Derby Race 3 p.m. -- Donkey Derby Race Awards 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- BJ Estares and Route 61 Blues Sunday, June 25 7 a.m. -- Pancake Breakfast at Cripple Creek Fire Station 10 a.m. -- Donkey Rides Begin | Kids Activities in the Park 10:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. -- Dog Show 11 a.m. -- Photos with Baby Donkeys | Beer Gardens Open 1 p.m. -- Draw for Donkey Derby Race | "A Cripple Creek Ragtime Revue" 1:30 p.m. -- Donkey Derby Race 2 p.m. -- Best Beard Contest 3 p.m. -- Businessmen's Donkey Race 3:30 p.m. -- Donkey Derby Race and Businessmen's Race Awards [gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="17233,17229,17231,17228"] For more information on the Donkey Derby Days, please visit Cripple Creek's website.
Will you be attending? Have you been to the festival before? Share your stories and photos with us!
