An eclectic crowd of artists and donkeys returns to Mancos for the seventh annual BurroFest on Saturday, June 20, to honor the 150th anniversary of Colorado and the relationship between art and its equine muses.
“In the beautiful Mancos Valley, this affection for burros transcends mere admiration, it stands as an integral part of the region’s rich and storied history,” wrote the organizers in a Facebook post.
Last year, donkeys and humans alike dressed like characters from Alice in Wonderland, abiding by the theme of “Wonderland.” Event organizers used the opportunity to promote donkey adoption, seeing 11 adoptions throughout the day.
This year, big names in the burro world such as “Little D,” the short, four-hooved ambassador of the event, and his equally short admirer, 26-year-old donkey “April,” will return to model for the 12 featured local artists amid obstacle course competitions, parades, costume contests and food and drink markets.
The Mancos Creative District is hosting the unique celebration, which is listed as an official Colorado 150th anniversary event by the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission. The obstacle course will feature challenges honoring historic moments in Colorado’s history, while the celebration of “burros” honors their traditional relationships with miners and agricultural workers.
Food trucks, artists, obstacle courses, pop-up bars, vendors and musicians will set up in downtown Mancos at Boyle Park, 150 Grand Ave., starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. Admission is free, but a five-dollar donation to the Mancos Creative District is recommended. More information is available at BurroFest.com.
avanderveen@the-journal.co
