Ice Castles Return for Third Consecutive Year
Trevor Phipps
Now that fall is officially here and the weather has started to cool down, different kinds of entertainment make their way into the Teller high country. After a summer of fun filled with outdoor festivals, some events still occur outside during the fall, but other activities head indoors especially when the snow starts to fly.
The kick-off of the anniversary of gaming, which starts Oct. 1, has almost become a symbolic starting point for the infusion of fall and winter entertainment.
Although the Teller area has gained a certain niche for their summer festivals, the ongoing tourism-related and local, special event activity still booms this time of year. For the past few years, the aspen leave-changing splendor in the fall, followed by the holiday and winter festivities, have kept the Ute Pass region hopping.
For the last several years, the Teller high country has grown to become a prime spot to spend the holiday season, as many city slickers tend to enjoy the feeling of being inside a real-life snow globe when it gets closer to Christmas time. This year, the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek make their return for the third year in a row.
The Ice Castle return, doubled with the Ice Festival slated for February, 2006 will ensure that locals and visitors have a definite excuse to take an excursion in Teller County. Moreover, these festivities help show that there is more than gaming in Cripple Creek.
Cripple Creek Fall Events
Once October strikes the calendar this week, there are a slew of events scheduled to mesh with Halloween shopping expeditions. And since, there are school board elections this year, the month of October starts off with some political happenings.
This weekend might be the last time it will be comfortable to enjoy an outdoor event. Luckily, Cripple Creek’s Fall Fest takes place this weekend to give everyone a good excuse to take the trip and gawk at the colors of the changing leaves.
Fall Fest will feature events for the little ones like a fall-themed photo booth and donkey pen, pumpkin carving and painting, a street fair exhibitor show, a free kid’s zone, free hayrides and a pet costume parade. For adults, the beer garden will be open 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. There will also be live music over both days featuring bands like Chuck Snow, The Threadbarons and Aces & 8’s.
The Autumn and Art Show is also currently taking place at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. The heritage center’s “showcase of the richness of local Teller County creativity” will run through Oct. 5.
The Butte Theater in Cripple Creek will also be a popular spot this fall with their Halloween-themed show starting this week, and their holiday show coming up towards the end of the year. “The Vampire of Cripple Creek” starts showing at the Butte Theater on Oct. 3.
Woodland Park Fall Events
Woodland Park also has quite a bit to offer during the first weekend in October. On Oct. 4, the Woodland Park Library hosts its annual Night at the Library which welcomes guest to wear 1920s attire.
For those that are still persistent to enjoy the outdoors this time of year, Mueller State Park still offers a slew of events during October and beyond. The convenient state park, located outside Divide off Hwy. 67, offers unique activities, such as full moon hikes, fly fishing and cross-country skiing classes. On Halloween, adventurers can take a murder mystery hike from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
The Ute Pass Cultural Center in Woodland Park also has quite the lineup for this fall. The Ben-Hur Supershow takes place on Oct. 4, which will showcase movies, books and collectibles having to do with Ben Hur, a classic, heroic character originally portrayed by Charles Heston in a blockbuster movie
On October 8 from 6 to 8 p.m., the city continues their community concerts with an outdoor performance from the Mike & Bertye Mountain Music Duo. Festivities continue with Haunted Halloween Bingo on Oct. 16 and a Costume Cornhole Tournament on Oct. 24.
Recently, it was officially announced that the Ice Castles Colorado event will be returning to Cripple Creek for the ’25-’26 season, and that the attraction this year may showcase a little more pyrotechnic fire features than previous years (see related story). The exact dates for the event have not been set quite yet as it is weather-dependent.
However, the Ice Castles do plan on returning to the same spot in Cripple Creek starting some time in December and the event will run as long as the weather stays cool enough into February or March.
The Lighter Side of Christmas Parade also makes its return to Downtown Woodland Park on the first Saturday of December to help people get into the Christmas mood. For more information on local events visit mountainJackpot.com.
