MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Decorated caskets will race through the streets of Manitou Springs on Saturday for the 30th annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races. Saturday is about the “weird” and unique. The beloved Manitou resident who honors the event… has a unique story of her own.
The story of Emma Crawford
Emma Crawford moved to Manitou Springs in 1888, hoping to recover from tuberculosis. Emma became close to a famous engineer, Wilhelm Hildenbrand, and they went hiking in the mountains around Manitou. On one occasion, they climbed Red Mountain, which overlooks downtown Manitou Springs, and Emma fell in love with its surroundings.
“Emma was so fascinated with the beauty and splendor of these places that she told Wilhelm Hildenbrand, after her death, she wanted to be buried on top of Red Mountain,” Michael Maio, President of the Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum. said.
And so, Emma’s request came true. She passed on December 4, 1891, and her casket was taken to the northern peak of Red Mountain, where she was buried.
Fast forward to the early 1900s, Emma’s coffin ended up being reburied and moved when her grave was spotted in the middle of the Red Mountain Slope construction project nearing completion. Her coffin lay in the middle of the slope, to the right. She rested, once again, on the southern peak of Red Mountain. This was until 1929, when a major rainstorm changed its course once again.
Due to the severity of the rainstorm, Emma’s remains and parts of her coffin were washed up on the slopes of Red Mountain.
“There were some guys at the time who were exploring Red Mountain,” Maio explained. “And they actually found Emma’s remains, her skull, some skeletal remains and also the name plaque from her coffin. And so local officials were able to identify the remains of Emma Crawford.”
Her remains were quickly handed over to the city police, who had no idea what to do next.
“He ended up putting all this waste in storage, in the basement of City Hall, where it stayed for three years until 1932,” Maio said. “In 1932, the city council here in Manitou Springs passed a resolution authorizing the reinterment of Emma Crawford in the city cemetery, which is now known as Crystal Valley Cemetery. Regarding that burial site, no one knows the exact location where Emma was buried. But in any case, a few years ago, our museum installed a stone commemorating Emma Crawford and her story.”
Thousands of tourists attend Emma Crawford’s coffin races to honor and remember her.
30th RACE in ARKILI
56 caskets will compete for a chance to win the Coffin Cup.
A local Manitou Springs business will be competing for their 5th year and hopes to win both the Brewers and the Coffin Cup… They will then be able to take on the next challenge, the Frozen Dead Guys Race in Estes Park.
“This is a really great time to team up with friends, colleagues, family,” said Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort owner Torie Giffin.
The ‘Boo-ffalo’ Lodge team has a great start to the day on Saturday, getting up early and going to the casket race inspection at 8am.
“You can come and get your face painted here from 11 o’clock until one o’clock with Miss Kiddee’s Clowning,” Giffin said, admitting Buffalo Lodge. “At noon, we all parade at Manitou, and we actually invite our friends to come ride and parade with us. We even have guests coming from out of state to come and carry our banner in the parade… We have a great buzz after the casket race here, starting at four o’clock with DJ Gabe from the future and Sweet Tea.”
Giffin told 11 News an event that brings tourists to Manitou during the off-season, like the Coffin Races, is big for local businesses. The annual tradition has grown exponentially since its inception.
“In the early days, you know, there were probably five or six coffins and 50 people standing on the side of the road,” Visit Manitou Springs events manager Jenna Gallas said. “From then until now, a lot has changed.”
Gallas said parking will not be available for attendees in Manitou Springs and road closures will begin at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Service Center.
“They will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Gallas said. “It’s free to park and it’s $5 each way. You can’t even get parking at Manitou for $5, so we encourage you to take the shuttle, take an Uber, take a Lyft. We have a drop-off point just off the road.”
Giffin said attendees are more than welcome to stay or park at the Lodge and drive down to the races, being just two miles from the start.
Overall, Emma Crawford’s legacy has brought about a legacy event for Manitou Springs itself.
“Dress up in a suit, even if it’s simple, you’ll look weird if you’re not in a suit,” Gallas said. “This is the day to let it loose and be yourself, get the whole family out and have a good time in Manitou Springs.”
Click here to stream the Emma Crawford Coffin Races live.
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