For more than 30 years, Carnivale has been a favorite event in Manitou Springs. Though the Krewe of Centaur rolled down Manitou Avenue in 1981 (complete with doubloons and a float), the first “modern” parade that most Manitoids are familiar with began in 1993 when artist Arlene Wood and husband Jim came home from Carnival in Venice. Through the years, Carnivale in Manitou was a walking, rolling, strolling, dancing happening. But most of all, it was a celebration where art and community intersected and everyone was invited to participate. For the first 25 years or so, Carnivale was volunteer driven. About eight years ago, the parade was given to Visit Manitou Springs, to keep Carnivale alive in Manitou.
The ManiKrewe committee was formed in 2022 when a group of 10 women came together to work with Jenna Gallas, events manager of Visit Manitou Springs. ManiKrewe had several goals: keep Carnivale alive, preserve its history, establish additional Carnivale-related events throughout the Mardi Gras season, and establish new traditions that expanded community engagement. In the past three years, ManiKrewe has worked to gather oral and written histories, conserve giant puppets that are decades old, create a bigger parade, and invite all ages to be a part of Carnivale.
“It’s Manitou Springs, so the Mardi Gras season and Carnivale parade are going to have that uniquely Manitou flair to it,” said Jenna Gallas. “We’ve had a lot of fun integrating Manitou Carnivale with other Mardi Gras traditions.”
Among those events: the ManiKrewe committee gathers on Jan. 6 to celebrate the Epiphany with a King Cake, which kicks off the Mardi Gras season; shoebox float craft sessions, both in Manitou Springs Elementary School and for the public; the founding of the Royal Krewe, open to anyone who has been in the Carnivale Court; the founding of Krewe du 30, which is a memorial krewe honoring those transitions in the past year and beyond; the founding of Pardi Gras, ManiKrewe’s Carnivale fundraiser event; and CarniBall, the Carnivale gala.
“We are looking at other ways to expand community involvement, not only for the parade, but other events during the season,” said Gallas. “We encourage people to start krewes, or bring their band to walk in the parade, or enter the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-off, or come to CarniBall, or participate in a free community crafting session. There are so many ways for the whole family to be a part of the fun.”
To ensure long-term sustainability for Carnivale, a nonprofit was formed last year, and the parade and related activities were given to the board of directors by Visit Manitou Springs. The nonprofit can fundraise, garner sponsorships, and apply for grants, such as the Manitou Arts, Culture and Heritage program (MACH).
Join the fun
Anyone interested in buying tickets to CarniBall (Feb. 22, 2025), joining the Carnivale board of directors or the ManiKrewe committee, forming a krewe for the parade, or any other related activity, contact ManitouCarnivale@gmail.com.
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
