Colorado Springs marks Colorado 150, America 250
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Colorado Springs is going big for the state's 150th anniversary and America's 250th, with festivals, rodeos, film screenings and other events throughout the summer.
Why it matters: Springs organizers are using the anniversaries to reflect on local history while spotlighting the community's identity.
The moment gives people a chance to "connect to our shared history," Visit Colorado Springs' Amy Long tells Axios.
- "But [it's] not just looking backward. It's about looking forward, too."
State of play: Events are planned throughout the summer, with the biggest concentration around the Fourth of July and Colorado Day on Aug. 1.
- Some longtime gatherings are adding anniversary tie-ins, while others are new.
Among the programming:
📚 The Pikes Peak Library District hosts a Colorado history film festival (June 6) and symposium (June 13). Both are free, but registration is required.
🐎 The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is adding a 150th/250th anniversary drone show after the July 16 rodeo.
🎸 The United We Rock Festival at Rock Ledge Ranch on Colorado Day is a family-friendly event featuring food trucks, live music, beer and wine tasting, with $5 admission.
Zoom in: Pikes Peak will host special programs July 4 and Aug. 1, including sunrise experiences and, for the first time, sunset summit events.
- Pro tip: Capacity is limited, and reservations are required.
- The intrigue: The city's parks department is hosting a Guinness World Record attempt at the summit on Aug. 1 to secure the most people simultaneously dunking a doughnut in coffee.
What they're saying: "This moment invites us to recommit to one another and remember that we are part of the same story — a complete story of red, white and blue," Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade said during his proclamation supporting the Sesquisemiquincentennial celebration.
Between the lines: Long tells Axios she's excited for the nine local Colorado 150 Film Festival showings and community talks. Each has some Colorado connection, while several — "WarGames" and "BlacKkKlansman" — take place in Colorado Springs.
- The July 9 showing of "The Shining" at Lulu's Downtown will feature a speaker from the Colorado Springs Philharmonic talking about how to make spooky music.
- And the Pioneer Museum is showing "The Incident" on Aug. 13, which was partially filmed there.