Manitou Springs is known for its iconic traditions of fruitcake tossing, coffin racing, Carnivale parading and gumbo tasting. They started as “fly by the seat of your pants, ‘hey, everybody, let’s dress up and parade on Manitou Avenue’” sort of events. They were so much fun that volunteers kept stepping up to ensure they continued.
As Manitou Springs’ Carnivale enters its 31st season, a passel of creative people, the Manikrewe, are building a solid foundation for its future while still embracing the spontaneity of the past.
Manikrewe members debriefed after the 2023 event and have been meeting monthly ever since. They are: Jenna Gallas, Laura Ettinger-Harwell, Sallie Knox Hall, Judy Teevan, K8e Orr, Marianne Lawless, Adriana Armano, Frank Case, Elena Arana, Jannine Scott, Deborah Thornton, Stacy Lu, Beth Alexander Coons and Maxel Moreland.
We want the kids to come – Laura Ettinger-Harwell
Thornton, Hall and Ettinger-Harwell are Louisiana natives, and Teevan lived there for 20 years.
“We are made up of amazing volunteers who want to serve our community, support the arts and make community magic happen,” Orr said.
Manikrewe members are working hard to involve the community more fully in the event as it comes together.
Two results of that outreach: The Manitou Springs High School marching band will perform for the first time in a Carnivale Parade, and Manitou Elementary and Middle School students will turn shoeboxes into miniature floats in their art classes.
“Along with that, they’re going to learn the history,” Teevan said. “Not only the history of Mardi Gras itself, but that Carnival is in other countries as well. And there’s a history here in Manitou.”
Ettinger-Harwell went to her first New Orleans Mardi Gras at age 3 and kept going back with her family; since moving to Colorado, she attends every year she can.
Everyone on the Manikrewe wants this to be a family affair.
“We want the kids to come, we want them to catch things. We want them to be thrilled at the marching band. We want them to be excited about the puppets,” Ettinger-Harwell said.
Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful volunteers will pick up any items left behind on the street. If you catch a string of beads you decide you don’t want, bead-recycling boxes will be set up around Manitou.
The Manitou drum circle will get hearts thumping and the giant puppets will strut their stuff. Orr is hosting a “puppet rehab night” at the Manitou Art Center, 513 Manitou Ave. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24; participants don’t need to bring any tools or supplies.
Gallas, the chamber’s events coordinator, shared information about getting into Manitou for the fun without the hassle.
“You can catch the free shuttle (on Route 36) that we’re going to offer and be dropped off at Memorial Park. But that’s as close as you’re going to get. And anybody who’s already parked downtown is going to have to leave their car there,” she said.
Voting for the royal court ends Monday, Jan. 15; go to tinyurl.com/2024CarnivaleVOTE. If you’re a past court member, email manitoucarnivale@gmail.com for information about a special event.
Do you want to:
● Register a krewe for the parade? Go to manitousprings.org/carnivale-parade. This year’s theme is ARTopia;
● Be part of a krewe? Keep your eyes and ears open, especially on social media;
● Enter the gumbo cook-off? Go to manitousprings.org/gumbo-application; they’re due Feb. 2 or when all spaces are filled;
● Volunteer to help and/or carry a puppet? Email manitoucarnivale@gmail.com; and
● Be a sponsor? Go to tinyurl.com/Carnivale2024sponsorships.
IF YOU GO
Carniball takes place 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Iron Springs Chateau, 444 Ruxton Ave. Tickets are available at manitoumade.com/product-category/experiences. They cost $65 and include casino chips, the Southern/Cajun buffet, one drink ticket and dancing to live music from Tribe. Dress code: your best, blingiest green, purple and gold.
The Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off will offer 75-cent samples starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, in Soda Springs Park, Park/Manitou avenues, followed by the parade starting at 1 p.m. in Memorial Park and meandering up Manitou Avenue. Information: manitousprings.org/carnivale-weekend or 685-5089.
CARNIVALE COURTS OF THE PAST
2023: King Ben Luplow and Queen Jannine Scott; dukes Doug Edmundson and Michael Edmiston; maids Michelle Tomasik and Rhonda Van Pelt; and jester Becky Pontz.
2022: King Joel Grotzinger and Queen Marjorie Somers; dukes Dale Childre and Ben Hall; maids Sallie Knox Hall and Danielle Rogge; and jester Jared Thompson.
2021: canceled because of COVID-19
2020: King Doug Edmundson and Queen Annie Schmitt; dukes Aaron Schultz and Ric Hudson; and maids Jannine Scott and Chifumi Ito.
2019: King Lyn Ettinger-Harwell and Queen Laura Ettinger-Harwell; dukes Mark Wong and “Chicken” George Janaceck; and maids Natalie Johnson and Marianne Lawless.
2018: King Randy Hodges and Queen Gwenn David; dukes Jason Wells and Michael Barsotti; and maids Joy Williams and Jessica Barsotti.
2017 and 2016: unknown
2015: King Jack Elder and Jasqueimo the Jester (Matt Pieffer)
2014: King Dale Carley and Queen Debbie Carley
2013 through 2010: unknown
2009: King Michael Galvin and Queen Becky Elder
2008 through 1996: unknown
1995: Kat Walters (Tudor)
1994: unknown
1993: King Wayne Mashburn and Queen Mary Mashburn
If you can help fill in the gaps, email manitoucarnivale@gmail.com.