EVENTS

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

A image from a pack burro race. Come experience the family-friendly events of the Victor Gold Rush Days, the oldest continuously held festival in Colorado.

Location: 3rd St. & Victor Ave.
Registration: 8:00am
Race: 10:00am

PACK BURRO RACE

Held in the heart of the historic Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District and this year for the first time during the Victor Gold Rush Days, the oldest continuously held festival in Colorado, the Victor Pack Burro Race offers a short but challenging day of Pack Burro Racing. The 7.3-mile course starts and finishes in the heart of Victor on Victor Avenue.  The course has 1,100 feet of elevation gain with lots of ups and downs, uneven footing, fantastic views, and passes by historic mine sites. Please be certain to study the course map. While the course is well-marked, there are several intersecting trails and roads along the route. Bib pick-up and day of race registration starts at 10:00 a.m., race begins at 12:00 p.m. 

 All racers will receive a finishers prize and free lunch.  This year the prize will be a commemorative bolo tie.  Cash prizes will be paid out to the top finishers along with hiking sticks. Special awards will also be given to the Last Ass and Nicest Ass. The awards ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. 

A vintage photo of baseball players. Come experience vintage baseball games, one of many family-friendly events at the Victor Gold Rush Days July 18-20,2025.

Location: The Gold Bowl
Saturday: 10:00 a.m, 12:30 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m.

VINTAGE BASEBALL GAMES

The Colorado Vintage Base Ball Association (CVBBA), a nonprofit established in 1993, is devoted to preserving and sharing the legacy of 19th-century baseball as it was played in Colorado. Through historically accurate games, attire, and theatrical performances, the CVBBA brings history to life—emphasizing Victorian values, gentlemanly conduct, and storytelling over competition.

Players and volunteers portray authentic teams, don period-appropriate uniforms, and follow the original rules of the game. Beyond the diamond, a full ensemble of civilian characters—umpires, reporters, suffragists, and more—help transport spectators (affectionately known as “cranks”) back to the 1800s. The experience is both family-friendly and affordable, with events held locally and occasional travel for special matchups.

One standout team, the Mastodon Mine Minstrels, was born from a chance encounter in Broomfield. Inspired by a historic club that blended baseball with musical performance, the Minstrels kept that spirit alive by often singing during games, eventually becoming a cherished part of the CVBBA.

Founded by passionate enthusiasts like Mark “Fearless” Foster and Pat “Deacon” Massingil, the CVBBA continues to grow—carrying forward the unique charm and spirit of vintage base ball in Colorado.

A photo of the Gold Rush Days Parade in Victor, Colorado. This annual parade is a vibrant celebration of the town's rich mining heritage.

Location: Victor Ave.
Sunday: Noon

GOLD RUSH DAYS PARADE

​The annual parade during Victor Gold Rush Days in Victor, Colorado, is a vibrant celebration of the town's rich mining heritage. Held every July during the third weekend, the parade features a diverse array of participants, including local organizations, historical reenactors, and community members, all showcasing the enduring spirit of this historic mining community. ​

A highlight of the parade is the participation of the Victor Heritage Society. Members and friends don period costumes, embodying the late 19th and early 20th-century attire, and march along Victor Avenue behind the society's banner. This reenactment offers spectators a glimpse into Victor's past, emphasizing the town's commitment to preserving its unique history. ​

In addition to historical reenactments, the parade features vintage vehicles, floats representing local businesses, and performances by musicians and entertainers. This blend of elements creates a festive atmosphere that honors Victor's mining legacy while celebrating the present-day community. The parade serves as a focal point of the Gold Rush Days festival, drawing both residents and visitors to partake in the festivities.​

Beyond the parade, Gold Rush Days offers a variety of activities, including mining demonstrations, live music, and guided tours, providing attendees with a comprehensive experience of Victor's heritage. The parade, however, remains a centerpiece, symbolizing the town's enduring pride in its history and the strong sense of community that continues to thrive in Victor.

A photo from the Gold Rush Days mining competitions in Victor, Colorado. The mining competitions are among the many family-friendly events at the Victor Gold Rush Days

Location: 1st St. & Victor Ave.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m., Noon

MINING COMPETITIONS

Experience the grit, glory, and adrenaline of the mining competitions at Victor’s Gold Rush Days, where modern-day miners and thrill-seekers go head-to-head in feats of strength, speed, and skill. Held annually in Victor, Colorado, this high-energy event celebrates the town’s rich gold mining heritage with authentic challenges like hand mucking, drilling, and team jackleg drilling—all using traditional tools and techniques. Spectators can witness competitors pound steel, toss timbers, and move muck just like the hard rock miners of the 1800s. Located just minutes from Cripple Creek, Victor’s mining games offer an unforgettable look into Colorado’s rugged past—free and fun for all ages.

A detail photo of pancakes being made during the Victor Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, one of many family-friendly events at the Victor Gold Rush Days.

Location: Victor Fire House
Saturday: 7:00 a.m.
Sunday: 7:00 a.m.

VICTOR FIRE DEPARTMENT PANCAKE BREAKFAST

​The Victor Volunteer Fire Department's annual pancake breakfast is a cherished tradition during Victor, Colorado's Gold Rush Days festival. Held each morning from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Victor Fire House, the breakfast offers attendees a hearty meal to start their day. ​

Gold Rush Days, celebrated every July, honors Victor's rich mining heritage with a variety of events, including parades, vintage baseball games, and live music. The pancake breakfast serves as a central gathering point, fostering community spirit and camaraderie among residents and visitors alike. ​

In addition to delicious pancakes, the event provides an opportunity for the public to engage with local firefighters and explore the firehouse. Guests can view antique fire apparatus and learn about the department's history and operations. The funds raised during the breakfast support the fire department's ongoing efforts to serve and protect the Victor community.

Over the years, the pancake breakfast has become a symbol of Victor's close-knit community and its dedication to preserving local traditions. Whether you're a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, attending the breakfast during Gold Rush Days offers a warm welcome and a taste of Victor's hospitality.