Get ready for the 5th annual Black Canyon Donkey Derby, held at Deep Canyon Ranch, in Black Canyon City, Arizona! The race will be Saturday, March 8th, but be sure to come for a full weekend of FUN (events listed below).
On Saturday, we will have a variety of vendors, food trucks, a petting zoo, face painting, and many more activities for the whole family! Please come be a spectator and enjoy this fun-filled community event! Clean porta-potties and hand-washing stations will be available
First, let's talk about what a burro is. “Burro” is the Spanish word for donkey.
“Pack burro racing is a sport in Colorado, Arizona, California, and New Mexico that is rooted in the various western state's mining histories.[1] In the early days of the mining industry in Colorado, miners would take donkeys (burros in Spanish) through the mountains of Colorado while prospecting. Because the burros were carrying supplies, the miners could not ride the animals and so they would walk, leading the donkey. Burro races are held throughout small towns in Colorado, Arizona, California, and New Mexico to commemorate the miners and their burros. In 2012, pack burro racing was recognized as the official "summer heritage sport" in Colorado.
Legend holds that the races trace back to an incident in which two miners, finding gold at the same location simultaneously, raced each other to the claims office. Because the burros were too small or loaded to carry their owners, the miners were forced to run, leading the burros.” (Wikipedia)
During a burro race, a runner and a burro run/walk a prescribed course together, with the runner leading the burro on a lead rope. Depending on the event, pack saddles may be used and runner’s gear can be carried by the burro. At the Black Canyon Donkey Derby, there will be a 3-mile course, a 6-mile, or a 9-mile course. For beginners and people who just want to experience a donkey community, the 3-mile course is a great starting point. You can jog/walk and just get an overall feel for the sport. This is a fun and easy course! It is also a great opportunity to get your burro introduced to events and get you out on the trails together! What a great way to bond and exercise with your burro. For those of you who do not own a donkey, yet want to participate, burro racing donkeys can be rented for all levels of racing experience!! You can use burros who are better suited for walking and for those active trail runners, there are burros who enjoy racing competitively! Come join the fun!
Event Schedule:
8:00 am Race Check-In
9:00 am Race Meeting (Please, all racers attend to hear about the course and other important information)
10:00 am Race starts! Everyone to the race line before the whistle blows
10:30 am Guest Speaker
11:00 am Enjoy "Vendor Alley" Be sure to stop by all the vendor booths and food trucks to support their efforts in coming to this wonderful community-based event
After all Racers have returned from the course, Awards Ceremony
4:00 pm Costume Contest (Groovy 60's- Human and Burro dressed to impress!)
4:30-Dark- A food truck will be available for dinner. Please help support these guys coming down for our event!
