MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Decorated coffins will race through the streets of Manitou Springs on Saturday at the 30th annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races. Saturday is all about the “strange” and unique. The beloved Manitou resident being honored at the event has a unique story of her own.

Emma Crawford's story

Emma Crawford moved to Manitou Springs in 1888 in hopes of recovering from tuberculosis. Emma became friends with the famous engineer Wilhelm Hildenbrand and they took walks together in the mountains around Manitou. They once climbed Red Mountain, which overlooks downtown Manitou Springs, and Emma fell in love with her surroundings.

“Emma was so captivated by the beauty and splendor of these sites that she announced to Wilhelm Hildenbrand after her death that she wanted to be buried at the summit of Red Mountain,” Michael Maio, president of the Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum said.

And so Emma's wish was granted. She died on December 4, 1891 and her coffin was carried to the north summit of Red Mountain where she was buried.

In the early 20th century, Emma's coffin was eventually reburied and relocated when her grave was spotted in the midst of the Red Mountain Incline construction project, which was nearing completion. Her coffin lay in the middle of the right-of-way slope. She was reburied on the southern summit of Red Mountain. That lasted until 1929, when a heavy rainstorm changed course again.

Due to the severity of the rainstorm, Emma's remains and parts of her coffin were washed down the slopes of Red Mountain.

“There were some boys exploring Red Mountain back then,” Maio explained. “And they actually found Emma's remains, her skull, some skeletal remains and also the nameplate from her coffin. And that’s how local officials were able to identify Emma Crawford’s remains.”

Her remains were soon handed over to the city police officer, who had no idea what to do next.

“He ended up storing all these remains in the basement of the town hall, where they remained for three years until 1932,” Maio explained. “In 1932, the City Council here in Manitou Springs passed a resolution authorizing the reburial of Emma Crawford in the city cemetery, now known as Crystal Valley Cemetery. As for this burial site, no one knows the exact location where Emma was buried. But in any case, our museum had a stone erected a few years ago to commemorate Emma Crawford and her story.”

Thousands of tourists attend Emma Crawford's coffin races to honor and remember her.

30. COFFIN RACE

56 coffins will compete for the chance to win the Coffin Cup.

A local Manitou Springs company is racing for the fifth time and hopes to win both the Brewers Cup and Coffin Cup… Then they can move on to the next challenge, the Frozen Dead Guys Race in Estes Park.

“This is a really great time to build a team with friends, colleagues and family,” said Torie Giffin, owner of Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort.

The “Boo-ffalo” Lodge team got off to a good start to the day on Saturday: they got up early and headed off to inspect the coffin race at 8 a.m.

“You can stop by Clowning by Miss Kiddee here from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and get your face painted,” Giffin said, recognizing the Buffalo Lodge. “At lunchtime we all parade through Manitou and invite our friends to ride and march with us. We even have guests from out of state carrying our banner in the parade…We're having a big post-coffin race party here starting at four o'clock with DJ Gabe from Future and Sweet Tea.”

Giffin told 11 News that an event like the Coffin Races, which brings tourists to Manitou in the off-season, is important to local businesses. The annual tradition has grown exponentially since its inception.

“In the early days, there were maybe five or six coffins and 50 people lined up on the side of the road,” said Visit Manitou Springs events manager Jenna Gallas. “A lot has changed between then and now.”

Gallas said there will be no parking available for participants in Manitou Springs and the road closure will begin at 9 a.m. and will last until 3 p.m. Against this background, 17 shuttle buses will start at the event from the Garden of the Gods to the Citizen Service Center.

“They will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Gallas said. “Parking is free and the cost is $5 round trip. You can't even park in Manitou for $5, so we recommend you take the shuttle, grab an Uber, grab a Lyft. We have a drop-off point right at the road closure.”

Giffin said participants are welcome to stay or park at the lodge and make their way to the races, which are just two miles from the start.

Overall, Emma Crawford's legacy has given Manitou Springs itself a lasting event.

“Dress up, even if it's easy, you'll look weird if you don't wear a costume,” Gallas said. “This is the day to let off steam and be yourself, bring the whole family and have a great time in Manitou Springs.”

Click here to stream the Emma Crawford Coffin Races live.

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