Every year in late October, Manitou Springs honors the young, beautiful and deceased Emma Crawford - a woman who had great love for Manitou Springs - with a unique fall festival. Emma died of TB and was buried on her most favorite mountain of all, Red Mountain. Sadly, her grave was washed away during a rain storm and all that remains is her memory, and this festival.

(whoa, dramatic)

This year’s festival will be held Saturday, 10/27 and will be followed by a parade.

So....What did you say the name of this memorial festival is? Oh right, right…the old Coffin Races. I think they had one of those for Lewis and Clark.

And what do you do at this memorial festival? Ahh, yes, teams of five build rolling coffins, find a ride-along Emma and don wacky costumes and race down Manitou Avenue. Winner takes all.

And what follows the race? A parade of hearses and more coffins. Obviously.

Let’s talk pumpkin pie people: this is a unique festival, but it has nothing to do with a beautiful, young women, a bad case of TB, a heart broken fiancé and a slightly obsessive love of Red Mountain - and has everything to do with wearing costumes. I am sure of it.

You know what? Someone already started this festival. It's called Halloween. But seriously, the Coffin Races sound fun too. If I can't make it to Halloween, I am definately going to the Coffin Races.

Here are the details:
For race entry forms and information about the Emma Crawford Festival call the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, 719-685-5089 or 800-642-2567.