They call the hot months of summer, from July into early September, the “dog days of summer.” So perhaps those earlier months, May and June, could take a cue from Cripple Creek.
How about we call them the “donkey days of summer”? Here’s why:
Up on Cripple Creek, the historic former mining town in the hills southwest of Colorado Springs, the Donkey Derby Days celebration will take over this weekend in a tradition dating to 1931.
Seventy-six years ago, locals were looking for something to attract attention to the town in the summer months. Because it was only about 30 years since the gold rush in Cripple Creek and nearby Victor, plenty of donkeys still remained as leftovers from the days of hauling loads from mines.
So why not race them? It’s not a typical sport, but, hey, neither is arena football.
A track was built, and Donkey Derby Days was born. Now, professionals run, partnered with donkeys, on cross country courses. The event has lasted into another century.
This weekend’s festival includes:
Also on tap: a mountain mama contest, chicken bingo, a barn dance, a gold stroll and a parade.
Check for more information.
THE COUCH
ON: The Rockies, at 10-5 through Thursday’s sweep over the Yankees, had the best interleague record in the National League. Overall, the American League has dominated – just four NL teams had winning marks before Thursday. The Rockies, after series with the Royals, Orioles, Red Sox, Devil Rays and Yankees, will face another AL foe this weekend when they travel to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays. Luckily for the Rox, they won’t face Toronto ace Roy Halladay, who pitched Wednesday and isn’t scheduled for this weekend. The Rox and Jays play at 5 p.m. today on FSN, then at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on FSN and KTVD-20, respectively.
OFF: Pueblo will have on display more than $50 million worth of souped-up autos as the National Street Rod Association hosts the Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals at the Colorado State Fairgrounds today through Sunday. The largest street-rod event in the region will feature more than 2,000 autos made before 1949. Add trade exhibits and a vintage-parts swap meet, and gearheads should be kept entertained until Monday. Check nsra-usa.com for more information.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE …
From the “ah, forget it” department: The deceptively titled Slacker Half-Marathon, Relay and 4-Miler will run Saturday at 8 a.m. from Loveland Ski Area to Georgetown (slackerhalfmarathon.com). But how about some prizes for those of us who won’t run it, considering it is called the Slacker Half-Marathon?
AROUND TOWN
Fine city, Dallas. But it will be on the hit list of local fans twice in the next three days. The Rapids host the team that has become their most competitive rival, FC Dallas, on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, has legitimate conference implications. With the season nearing the halfway point, Dallas has jumped to the top of the MLS Western Conference standings with 22 points. Colorado has fallen some in recent weeks, and is in fourth place with 15 points. The Arena Football League’s Crush hosts the Dallas Desperados at 8 p.m. Monday at the Pepsi Center in the teams’ final regular-season game.
WEAK IN REVIEW
Funny how the Yankees logo is so addictive. A seat on the lower level for the Devil Rays series early this week went for $42. The same seat for the Yankees series was $75, a 79 percent increase. Higher demand, higher prices, sure. But when the Diamondbacks play their 15th game at Coors Field this season in late September, will fans remember how badly they were gouged for an interleague series in June?
