15th Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races Begins October, 24, 2009
10/16/2009
354 Manitou Avenue
Manitou Springs, CO
Phone 685-5089 or 1-800-642-2567
Fax (719)685-0355
E Mail: manitou@pikes-peak.com
Contact: Floyd O’Neil
Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce
Phone 685-5089 or 1-800-642-2567
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ATTENTION RACE FANS!
Emma Rides Again in Historic Manitou Springs!
15th Annual Emma Crawford Festival
Friday & Saturday, October 23rd and 24th
Manitou Springs, CO - The legend of Emma Crawford lives again starting on Friday, October 23rd with the Victorian Wake at Miramont Castle. Viewings will be at 6:00pm, 6:30pm and 7:30pm. The cost of admission is $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for kids 12 and grants you entrance into Miramont, viewing of Emma laid out in the parlor in pure Victorian splendor, and a Victorian Wake, resplendent with a full Victorian buffet dinner and beverages in the Great Hall. For reservation call 719 685-1011
THE 15th ANNUAL EMMA CRAWFORD COFFIN RACES begin Saturday, Oct. 24th Coffins and “Emmas” race up the town’s main street. Each coffin is pushed by a team of 4 mourners and each will have an “Emma” riding in it. Trophies are awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place fastest coffin racers and also to the most Creative Coffin, The Best “Emma”. and Best Entourage. The Parade of the Coffins & Race takes place on Manitou Avenue in the town’s National Historic District beginning with the Parade of Hearses led by the Denver Hearse Association. The Parade of the Coffins starts around 12:00 PM and the coffin races begin immediately following at approximately 12:30. There will be paid parking and shuttle service at the restaurant, Tajine Alami, off of Old Man's Trail. PLEASE NOTE: Manitou Avenue will be closed starting at the 800 Block at 9 AM. This year's sponsors are:
Platinum – The Bank at Broadmoor
Gold - The Mason Jar Restaurant
T-Shirts – 1892, Victoria’s Keep, Adams Mountain Café. Ancient Mariner, Blue Skies Inn, Briarhurst Manor, Dulcimer Shop, Edward Jones - Mike Mare, Gray Line Tours, L3 Screen Printing, Marilyn's Pizza, Pikes Peak Highway, Spice of Life. The Stagecoach Inn.
Trophies - Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway and Pikes Peak Highway
Returning this year is The Fire Fighters Division! Firefighters from all over the region and our very own Manitou Springs Fire Department will be competing in the races. The Fire Departments will race against each other for their own traveling cup. Their times will also count in the overall races. Please come out and show your support for these terrific men and women!
For more information about the Emma Crawford Festival, call Floyd at the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, 685-5089 or 800-642-2567 or visit www.manitousprings.org.
Immediately following the races there will be a Post Coffin Race Party in Soda Springs Park hosted by the MS Education Foundation (MSEF). Admission is only $5.00 and proceeds go to School District 14. You will receive a “Walking Taco” of your choice. There will be a costume contest for 3 age groups, other kids activities & live entertainment. There will be a cash wine & beer bar as well. Sponsored by ; The Martini Shot w/ Brian Person, Manitou Arts Academy, Adam’s Mountain Café’, Rachel Buller – MS Real Estate, LLC, Team at Red Rock Realty & Park State Bank.
Ghosts of Old Manitou Walking Tours begin at 5:30 pm, Oct. 24th. . Tours begin at the Manitou Springs Heritage Center at 517 Manitou Ave. They depart every 15 minutes from 5:30 until 8:00pm. Ticket prices are $10.00 per adult and $5.00 for children 4-12. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. Sponsored by The Avenue Hotel B&B and Two Sisters Inn B&B.
For tickets or additional information call: 719 210-4303.