CREEDE— Once Taste of Creede and Memorial Day celebrations are over, the officials start to summer will be underway. Last year, after careful consideration, two of the annual events that usually took place during Labor Day weekend were moved to the beginning of summer and everyone has enjoyed the change.
For the third year in a row, Creede has honored their mining heritage in a new fuzzy way— the Donkey Dash. According to history, miners used donkeys to pack supplies to and from the mines. So, in honor of those days gone by, the town hosts an annual event with donkeys in the spotlight. Due to the heavy loads the animals used to carry, owners were never able to ride their trusty steads and instead had to walk alongside them, which is what adds to the fun of the Donkey Dash.
On Saturday, June 8 on Main Street by Basham Park, participants and their packed donkeys will begin a 10-mile race to the finish line. Contestants will take their donkeys through Creede’s historical mining district and circle back to town. The race abides by the rules and regulations set forth by the Western Pack Burro Association. The race begins with registration and weigh-in at 11 a.m. and more information can be found at www.creede.com.
Guests are encouraged to hang around for the entire weekend, enjoy open shops, delicious local food and flare but more importantly they do not want to miss the Gravity Derby that takes place on Sunday. Every year there are about 15 to 20 participants that have to follow only three rules, make sure homemade soapbox cars can steer, brake and stop!
Participants of all ages spend weeks prior to the race making their soapbox cars that only use gravity to make it to the finish line. The race begins with check-in at 7:30 a.m. at the top of Main Street near the Creede Repertory Theatre. Be sure to come out and cheer on racers!