Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Festivals & Events
MeadowGrass
( 719-495-2743;
www.meadowgrass.org
; 6145 Shoup Rd; tickets $50; Memorial Day weekend, May)
Three
days of bluegrass at the La Foret retreat center, just north of Colorado Springs. For the
complete experience, buy a full festival/camping pass.
MUSIC
Pikes Peak International
Hill Climb
( 719-685-4400;
www.ppihc.com
;
tickets $40-50; last weekend in Jun)
A legendary car race first
launched by Spencer Penrose after he built the road to Pikes Peak. These days the cars are
faster and the drivers more skilled. The course along Pikes Peak Toll Road is 12.42 miles
in total, beginning at 9390ft just uphill from the tollgate. There are 156 turns and the fin-
ish line is at the 14,110ft summit.
It's an interesting race as the thin air usually saps up to 30% off an engine's horsepower
and, of course, there are occasionally some spectacular crashes. The race has around 10
classes, including super stock car, pro truck and motorcycle classes in a combined field
approaching 200 competitors.
RACE
Colorado Balloon Classic
(
www.balloonclassic.com
;
1605 E Pikes Peak Ave; Labor Day weekend, Sep)
For the past 40 years run-
ning, hot-air ballooners, both amateur and pro, have been launching Technicolor balloons
into the sky just after sunrise for three straight days over Labor Day weekend. You'll have
to wake with the roosters to see it all, but it's definitely worth your while.
BALLOONING
Emma Crawford Coffin Races
(
www.manitousprings.org
;
Manitou Ave; Oct)
In 1929 the coffin of Emma Crawford was un-
earthed by erosion and slid down Red Mountain. Today, coffins are decked out with
wheels and run down Manitou Ave for three hours on the Saturday before Halloween.
RACE
Great Fruitcake Toss
( 719-685-5089;
www.manitousprings.org
;
1st Sat in Jan)
Don't miss this famous post-Christmas
fruitcake toss, when locals make homemade slingshots to catapult the suckers. One rule:
you must hate fruitcake. The cake that flies furthest wins. Held on the Manitou Springs
High School Track.
CATAPULT
