Of course there were donkey races. But there was much more.
From June 28th to 30th, Cripple Creek celebrated Donkey Derby Days. In addition to the famous donkey races, the event featured a parade, lots of live music, street performers, vendors and plenty of food trucks.
There were also many people who performed in roles. One of them was the traveling musician Dana Rodenbaugh, who played banjo and harmonica under the character name Isaiah Stonecreek.
Rodenbaugh is a retiree who has made a career in the mental health field.
“This is my music therapy,” he said with a smile.
Rodenbaugh works with the U.S. Forestry Camping Program during the summer, hosting singalongs and storytelling, and plays at fairs and festivals throughout the region.
“I love this one,” he said, referring to Donkey Derby Days. “It’s fun to go back in time a little bit.”
While Rodenbaugh likes to travel back in time, David and Marcie Walton looked to the future at Donkey Derby Days.
The couple is from Phelan, California, near Victorville and north of San Bernardino. It was their third trip to Cripple Creek and they had no idea that Donkey Derby Days would be taking place during their 8-day stay.
While they said they enjoyed the festival, they were there because they love the area. They called Cripple Creek a “special place” and are considering retiring there.
California may be a long journey, but it’s nothing compared to how far Conrad Champagnie and Ricardo Reid have come.
Both born and raised in Jamaica, they brought their respective food trucks to Donkey Derby Days. Champagnie owns and operates Conrad’s Flavor Fusion and Reid owns Ricky’s Island Cafe.
When asked if they were from Jamaica, they answered in unison with the classic: “ya mon.”
For Champagnie, it was his first time at Donkey Derby Days and his second time at Cripple Creek (he also attended this year’s Ice Festival).
Unlike many of the other participants, Champagnie and Lee are very familiar with donkeys. Champagnie said they are still regularly used in farming on their island. The donkeys are also important for bringing produce from the interior of the island to markets in the cities, as they can travel along trails inaccessible to motor vehicles.
“When I hear about the Donkey Derby, I say, OK, let’s go and see what happens,” Champagnie said in his thick Jamaican accent.
“It is something different.”
And that’s exactly why so many people love it.
