Colorado Favorites: Manitou Springs’ signature events edition
Jan. 23, 2025
Note: Direct quotes were edited for typos, to observe AP style guidelines and to fit the listicle structure.
Jenna Gallas, the Event Manager for Visit Manitou Springs, is encouraging Coloradans to attend some of the city’s upcoming signature events through her suggestions.
The events she shared are part of Manitou Springs’ lineup of Carnivale festivities, which begin Feb. 22.
1. The Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off
According to Gallas, The Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off is a cooking competition that will take place in Soda Springs Park on March 1.
“We have up to 20 gumbo chefs, professional and amateur, in two different divisions. They come out to the park and cook gumbo really early in the morning.”
According to the official webpage for the event, those interested in participating must fill out either an amateur or professional application before all 20 competition spots are filled.
The gumbo cooking period will begin at 8 a.m. on the day of the event, and Gallas said judging and tastings will follow.
“Then, we invite people to taste the gumbo and come through and try all the chefs' styles that are different. Then, they can do a people's choice vote. We also have three judges that [will] award prizes for first, second [and] third for both professional and amateur.”
Additional information on the competition’s rules, prizes and more can be found here.
2. Carnivale Parade
Gallas also mentioned the Carnivale Parade, which begins at 1 p.m. on March 1. According to the event page, this “Manitou-styled” parade is free to watch and will take place along Manitou Avenue.
Gallas said attendees can expect to see groups making music, brightly colored garb and puppets.
“We have different crews [and] groups that will come, and march with banners, and wear their bright colors [and] play instruments. The marching band came out last year from the local school, and we’ve got puppets, lots of puppets. Puppets you can wear, puppets on wheels; one was about two stories tall [that] someone built last year for a local artist, so it's a real creative collaboration among the community.”
More information related to this event can be viewed here.
More information on all of Manitou Springs’s signature events can be found on the city’s website.
The Great Fruitcake Toss is the first signature event of the year and takes place on Jan. 25; more information about this event can be found in last week’s entry.
