In 1993, Jim and Arlene Wood traveled to Venice, Italy and saw an advertisement for a Mardi Gras Carnivale. They thought this would be a great event to bring the Manitou community together at that time and the Manitou Springs Carnivale began.
As originators of this event, the Woods will be serving as the grand marshals for this year’s 30th celebration parade. The weekend-long event, scheduled for Feb. 17 and 18, will also feature a CarniBall Masquerade Ball and gumbo cook-off contest. The festivities are presented by the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce.
The 4th Annual CarniBall Masquerade Ball during the Manitou Springs Carnivale
Jenna Gallas, the special events coordinator for the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, explained that this is the fourth time the ball is being held and the first time since COVID. According to the website www.manitousprings.com/carnivale-weekend, CarniBall is Manitou Masquerade at its finest.
The event is themed “Manitou Time Machine” and will be held 6-10 p.m., Feb. 17, at Briarhust Manor in Manitou Springs. Tickets are $50 per person and include 500 casino chips, a full buffet dinner, live music from a New Orleans-style band, fire performances, and the opportunity to win door prizes from local Manitou businesses. In addition, the 2023 Carnivale King, Queen and Court will be announced.
Gallas said she is encouraging everyone to come dressed in their best masquerade costumes for drinks, Cajun-inspired food, live music and an all-around good time.
Gumbo is Back
All aspiring or professional gumbo chefs, along with those who just want to taste, are invited to the gumbo cook-off scheduled for Feb. 18. Cooking, Gallas said, will begin at 8 a.m. and tasting starts at 11 a.m. The event will be held at Soda Springs Park, 1016 Manitou Ave., and samples are a mere 75 cents each or three for $2. Judging will take place before the public tasting.
There will be a total of 20 chefs in two divisions: professional and amateur. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place as well as best showmanship and people’s choice. Parking is available for a fee at Hiawatha Gardens, located at 10 Old Man’s Trail. Dogs are not allowed at the event.
2023 Carnivale Parade
It’s been a long tradition in Manitou Springs to march down Manitou Avenue and celebrate Mardi Gras, and this year is a milestone. This marks the 30th anniversary of this annual event, and those who want to celebrate are invited to costume up, grab their beads and attend this colorful event.
In honor of this milestone year, Gallas said changes have been made to the parade. “We’re expanding the parade and adding more groups,” she said. “There will be marching bands, performers and visual aspects. We’ve also added the most creative crew and best pet crew to the parade entry categories.”
The parade, to be held on Feb.18, will start at 1 p.m. from Memorial Park and continues westbound down Manitou Ave to Soda Springs Park. Viewing is available anywhere along the route. Admission is free and parking is available at Hiawatha Gardens for a fee. There are also bus and shuttle options, as well as Pike Ride bikes available for rent.
Motorized vehicles are not allowed in the parade, but pets are. Candy and beads cannot be thrown to the crowd but can be handed to individuals along the route. Reservations, Gallas said, are required for those who want to march in the parade.
Carnivale Exhibit at Commonwheel
From Feb. 3-18, the Commonwheel Artists Co-op will feature a Carnivale exhibit. “Artists will be doing Mardi Gras style art, and the original poster from the Manitou Springs parade will be duplicated and available for purchase,” Gallas said. “There will also be a photo album featuring the past 30 years of the event available to view.” Admission to the exhibit is free. Commonwheel Artists Co-op is located at 102 Canon Ave.
For additional information about any of the weekend events and to register for the Gumbo Cook-Off or parade, visit www.manitoussprings.org/carnivale-parade or call the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce at 719-685-5089.
