Are you ready for the party of the century? Well, actually, of the century and a half.
Then mark your calendars for Monday, Aug. 1. Here’s everything you need to know about celebrating Manitou Springs’ sesquicentennial and Day of Friendship.
Perhaps most importantly, parking will be free at Hiawatha Gardens on Old Man’s Trail starting at 2:30 p.m. Then, stroll over to 7 Minute Spring Park, where elected officials and other community leaders will speak about Manitou’s designation as the nation’s third-friendliest city in Expedia.com’s 2021 survey of travelers.
Local organizations and nonprofits will have informational booths near the spring building. Email jenna@manitouchamber.com to reserve a spot. People staffing the booths will have to supply their own tables and chairs.
It wouldn’t be a Manitou event without live music, which starts at 3 p.m. with Joe Johnson, followed by A Carpenter’s Daughter at 4 p.m. and Fiddle & Frog & Fiddle at 6 p.m.
It definitely wouldn’t be a Manitou event without food. The city’s main organizers, Alex Trefry, public information officer, and Meghan Weiss, event coordinator, are hoping for an epic potluck.
“Since history shows that community potlucks are very well attended, we hope for a great turnout,” Trefry said.
Food prep and set-up will start at 4 p.m., with the potluck officially starting at 5 p.m. El Paso Boulevard will be closed, and tables and chairs will be set up there. Manitou Springs Kiwanis members will grill hot dogs and hamburgers for the crowd.
A few caveats: no slow cookers or other electric appliances — we don’t want to overwhelm the power grid — and no alcohol. Chairs and tables will be supplied, but everyone should bring their own plates, napkins, utensils and water bottles.
The city has purchased tents in case of bad weather, but if it’s too severe, Trefry said, the event would have to be canceled. (Boo! Hiss!)
At 5:30 p.m., guests will be treated to Ashley Cornelius’ poem about the Day of Friendship and 150th anniversary celebration. Cornelius is the Pikes Peak Library District’s poet laureate and co-director of Poetry719.
“She is an extremely talented poet, and it should be a delight for the community to hear,” Trefry said.
Then, winners will be announced in the Pollinator Passport sweepstakes, and Joel Grotzinger, reigning king of Carnivale, will announce the winner of the Kiwanis raffle.
The Ice Cream Social and Pie Baking Contest start at 6 p.m. in Mansions Park, behind City Hall. A scoop costs $2 and a slice costs $3 each, and proceeds will support Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce programs.
As an extra incentive to fire up the oven, pie bakers will receive one slice of pie and one scoop of ice cream for free.
Then, walk off all that delicious food by heading to Soda Springs Park, 1016 Manitou Ave., for the Little London Winds concert, which will take place 7-8 p.m.
“Our 150th celebration is about community, and more importantly, the strong sense of community that Manitou Springs shares,” said Trefry, speaking for all event organizers, including the Chamber of Commerce and Creative Alliance Manitou Springs.
“The Day of Friendship community event was planned exclusively for Manitou Springs residents, and it will provide great family-friendly fun from start to finish.”
Information: bit.ly/Manitou150.