ClayFest.com
Title
Clayfest.com : : : : The home of Clayfest on the net
Description
There are some interesting things about Manitou Springs, Colorado. This village of about 5,000 residents nestled at the base of Pikes Peak has been attracting diverse groups of people since the 1800s. Tourists, artists, and entrepreneurs have all been enticed by the natural beauty and mild climate of the area. Manitou Springs now hosts an assortment of events and festivals throughout the year.
One of the more unusual ones takes place every June in the form of the "Annual Clayfest and Mud Ball." Twelve years ago, a couple of Manitou artists came up with the idea of hosting the "potters' games." The idea was to have an event that would encourage potters from the area to get together, socialize, show off their pottery skills, and have a good time. They contacted a few other potters in the area and bounced ideas off of them. The response was good. It sounded like fun, but how do you go about getting an idea like that off the ground?
It turned out that the timing was on their side. It just so happened that in 1991 the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which runs from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak, was getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The rail company was interested in working with the Manitou Chamber of Commerce to help sponsor other events to add to the festivities. The group of potters put together a proposal and presented it to the chamber. The proposal was accepted, a modest amount of money was made available, the organizers became known as "a bunch-o-potters," and the Clayfest and Mud Ball was born.
