Celebrating 25 years in 2019
25th Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival
October 26, 2019
Watch all of the 2018 Coffin Races here!
In 1995, the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce started the first coffin races in the nation, in memory of a beloved member of the community.
In the years since, the races have grown into an often copied but never equaled Manitou Springs tradition.
In the years since, the races have grown into an often copied but never equaled Manitou Springs tradition.
Of all things, why coffin racing?Emma Crawford came to Manitou Springs in 1889 searching for a cure for her tuberculosis in the the area’s famed cold-water mineral springs. She fell in love with the charming mountain town and her dying wish was to be buried on top of Red Mountain. Unfortunately, Emma succumbed to her illness in 1891. Her lover, a civil engineer on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway named William Hildebrand, honored her wishes. With the help of eleven other townspeople, William carried Emma’s coffin up the 7,200 foot slope and buried her near the summit of Red Mountain.
In 1929, after years of harsh winters and spring rains, Emma and her coffin came racing down the mountainside. The young children who happened upon her remains found only the casket handles, a nameplate, and a few bones. Some say she still haunts Red Mountain today, but the only sure way to see Emma is to come to Manitou Springs and to the Coffin Races and Festival bearing her name. |
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The 25th Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival will take place on October 26th, 2019. The Parade starts at noon with Coffin Races to follow.
- Special Thanks to Our 2018 Sponsors -
Real-time race info is available on race day at coffinrace.com
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Contact Us
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The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce created the first coffin race in the nation in 1995, honoring the memory of a beloved member of our community with this unique tradition.
Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce
354 Manitou Ave Manitou Springs, CO 80829 (719) 685-5089 coffinraces@manitouchamber.com ManitouSprings.org 
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EmmaCrawfordFestival.com was made possible through the efforts of the
Manitou Springs Heritage Center Bringing History to Life Manitou Springs Heritage Center
517 Manitou Ave Manitou Springs CO 80829 (719) 685-1454 ManitouHeritage@gmail.com ManitouSpringsHeritageCenter.org 
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