Manitou Springs, Colorado: The Great Fruitcake Toss
Contestants hurl one and two pound fruitcakes either by hand, by catapult, or by pneumatic cannons. Fruitcakes apparently share many characteristics with artillery shells.
- Address:
- El Monte Pl., Manitou Springs, CO
- Directions:
- The Toss is held on the track infield of Manitou Springs High School, which is south of US 24 on the east side of town.
- Hours:
- Annual January event; dates vary by year. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 800-642-2567
- Admission:
- Free
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The Manitou Springs, Colorado holds an annual Fruitcake Toss, complete with competition rules and prizes for the most beautiful fruitcake, the ugliest, the most creative use, and fruitcake that has traveled the farthest for the competition.
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The festival continues annually (though check to make sure it hasn't been cancelled due to weather). In 2007, the Great Fruitcake Toss was held on January 20th on the Manitou Springs High School track. Contestants hurled 1- and 2-lb. fruitcakes, and also employed "pneumatics." The winning human "hurl" of a 2-pounder was by Sean Hall, at 124 feet. In the "launch" category, Nolte Associates managed to get their fruitcake out 308 ft. Team Omega pneumatically propelled their 2-lb. fruitcake 1,425.6 feet. Fruitcakes apparently share many characteristics with artillery shells.