Donkey days of summer: Events scheduled in Cripple Creek

Ashley Eberhardt
·2 min read

(CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo.) — The Two Mile High Club (TMHC), which cares for the famous donkey herd in Cripple Creek, has released its summer schedule of events, including the donkeys’ release from their winter pasture and the 93rd annual Donkey Derby Days.

The lovable city mascots will leave their winter pasture and return to free-roaming the city at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 27, during a ceremony at the corner of C Street and Thurlow.

The community is invited to pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic at the City Park, 128 East Bennett Avenue, immediately after the release, which will feature entertainment by Barbershop Harmony the “Alitones” quartet, members of the Woodland Park Wind Symphony Mountain Brass Band, and Cripple Creek Mayor Annie Durham herself will fill the air with old-timey tunes on the keyboard.

  • cripple creek donkeys
    cripple creek donkeys
  • This year, Donkey Derby Days does not have funding from the city of Cripple Creek.
    Courtesy: Maggy Wolanske, FOX21 News Reporter
  • Cripple Creek donkey release 2023
    Cripple Creek donkey release 2023. Courtesy: Two Mile High Club
  • Cripple Creek donkey release 2023
    Cripple Creek donkey release 2023. Courtesy: Two Mile High Club
  • Cripple Creek donkey release 2023
    Cripple Creek donkey release 2023. Courtesy: Two Mile High Club

“The Release begins an exciting summer of Donkey-related activities in Cripple Creek,” said Brandon Westhoff, TMHC President. “As a nonprofit all-volunteer organization, we rely on these celebratory fundraisers, grants, donations, and sponsorships to provide year-round care for these donkeys… and have done so since 1931. But, it’s more than raising funds; it’s about giving back to the community that supports us and the donkeys year-round.”

Following that, the 93rd Annual Donkey Derby Days will take place June 28-30, featuring entertainment by the United States Air Force Academy band “Wild Blue Thunder,” along with an exciting weekend of celebration. The band will perform on Friday and Saturday nights of Donkey Derby Days, along with a packed schedule of talented other musicians the entire weekend.

  • FOX21 wins the Donkey Derby Media Race
    Courtesy: Photojournalist Dez Rowe
  • Donkeys are known as the mascot of Cripple Creek and will be celebrated this weekend in the 92nd Annual Donkey Derby Days.
    Courtesy: Maggy Wolanske, FOX21 News Reporter
  • One of the donkeys featured during Donkey Derby Days (Credit: Ray Harless)
    One of the donkeys featured during Donkey Derby Days (Credit: Ray Harless)

“This year, Donkey Races will happen on Saturday and Sunday and run up Bennett Avenue, as they did 90-plus years ago!” said Annie Valades, Donkey Derby Day chair. “We have a tremendous Saturday morning parade planned, along with vendors, beer gardens, food trucks, and an expanded Kids Zone. Festivities begin on Friday night, June 28th.”

Finally, “Fall Fest” on October 5-6 rounds out a fun-filled summer of TMHC celebrations in Cripple Creek. Attendees will enjoy live music, delicious food and beverages, chainsaw carving, pie baking contests, pumpkin carving, the “Fall Photo Booth,” and shopping at a variety of vendors all in the glory of the beautiful changing leaves.

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