SOUTH FORK — It is hard to believe that Labor Day weekend is here but with it comes a wide range of activities all over the San Luis Valley.

One in particular is the first of its kind. The SoFAAR Burro Race in South Fork will begin on Saturday morning, Sept. 3, and take participants up along Alder Creek through obstacles, elevation changes and more.

The South Fork Friends Foundation has been planning this event for just about a year and in doing so, has generated general excitement around the event.

Burro racing has gained popularity in the San Luis Valley over the last several years beginning with the Creede Donkey Dash and others. This race will test the limits of runners and is bringing in some talent from the world of burro racing from around the state.

“There are over 50 burro teams registered to run the South Fork Alder Races on Saturday, Sept. 3. The races begin at 10 a.m. at Browns Park. In addition to seeing the world class athletes and their human counterparts in person, spectators can enter games to guess the winning times of each of the three races (3-mile, 8 mile and 22 mile) and to guess where the first donkey droppings will appear after the starting line,” said South Fork Friends Foundation President Luke Brennan. 

A tractor-drawn wagon ride courtesy of Aspen Ridge RV Park will provide shuttle service between the South Fork Community Center and Browns Park so that spectators can get back and forth.

Parking will be at both Browns Park and the Community Center.

Food, games, and vendors will be set up at the Community Center while the burros are out on the course and afterward. An awards ceremony will be held at the Community Center at 3:30 p.m.

The world famous and beloved racing pack burro, Buttercup, will be running the long course with her human, Marvin Sandoval. Buttercup is a three-time World Champion and a two-time Triple Crown winner and won 19 of 27 races she entered and was second or third in the rest. Buttercup will be available for photographs and autographs before and after the race.

Volunteers are needed. If interested, contact Brennan for details at 315-382-6200 or [email protected].