Community, Featured, Local culture

Carnivale 2025 brings community together for Mardi Gras good times

Photos from Carnivale 2025 by Mark Lee

A jubilant crowd celebrated Mardi Gras in true Manitou style on March 1 with a vibrant parade featuring giant puppets and whimsical costumes, a delicious gumbo cookoff, rocking live music and excellent vibes.

Carnivale organizers, the ManiKrewe, brought the good times down Manitou Avenue.

Courtney Smith of Gather Food Studios served gumbo at the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off.

The Krewe of Joel walked in the Carnivale parade in celebration of Joel Grotzinger.

Giant puppets are a staple of any great Carnivale parade, including Kat Tudor’s Loya, the “Indigenous Grandmother of Manitou Springs” on the left.

Carnivale 2025 King Sean Bradley and Queen Anna Rebecca Allen.

Dancers Levya, Carrie, and Kayla from the Manitou Drum Circle Krewe, which was honored with the “Most Manitou Flair” award this year

Zayden Lee, MSHS ‘24, was back from CU Boulder for the weekend to participate in the Carnivale festivities.

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Carnivale 2025 brings community together for Mardi Gras good times

Bulletin joins City Matters to talk ICE, data center and more

Tensions mount in high-stakes congressional primary race

Out Loud Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus performances May 8 and 9

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