30 years ago – July 7, 1989
Sparklers were clutched in small hands and flags fluttered from porches, poles, and the handlebars of motorcycles as Gilpin County citizens turned out to celebrate Independence Day on Tuesday. A large crowd lined the sides of the “Oh My God” Road in Virginia Canyon to take advantage of the outstanding view of the Idaho Springs fireworks display. Where else but in Colorado’s high country can you enjoy the sight of fireworks bursting in mid-air below you? Local merchants celebrated the holiday to the tune of ringing cash registers as tourists filled the town’s streets and shops. Warm temperatures and sunny skies attracted numerous visitors to the area.
The first ever Little Kingdom Pack Burro Race is scheduled for Sunday, July 16, beginning at high noon, with ribbons waving at the starting line on Main Street in Central City. The first in what is to become an annual event affords a unique and exciting form of human and animal team racing, and is something you won’t want to miss. One of several pack burro races throughout the state, this will be Central City’s first sponsorship of such a race. The World Championship will be held in Fairplay on July 30, followed by an international race in Leadville, August 6. There will be three more races after that, so the fun goes on and on. There are official rules and regulations each contestant must meet. For example, the pack saddles must weight a minimum of 33 pounds, and the lead rope can’t exceed 15 feet. The course is 11.3 miles long and, thankfully, not only the burros, but their human counterparts as well, run. The course will begin on Main Street and continue up County Road, next to St. James Methodist Church. It will follow the tramway bed toward Columbine Campground. Following Bald Mountain Road, it passes the cemetery and the base of Pisgah Mountain before leveling out at King Flats for the final descent through Nevadaville and back into Central City. “It may not be the longest race in the state,” said a burro racing official, “but it’s the prettiest.” Cash prizes will be awarded with much ceremony, so don’t miss this exciting event.
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