The Great Fruitcake Toss is Manitou Springs’ signature winter event featuring costumes, contests, live entertainment, and fruitcake-flinging fun. The fruitcakes will fly again in Manitou Springs at Memorial Park with old-fashioned games of tossing fruitcakes that began in 1996 with locals throwing fruitcakes in the park. Events include feats of strength, talent, balance, and accuracy, plus a Bake-Off competition and kids’ activities. Core activities and rules: - Distance toss: One cake per throw (1 ticket per toss); distance measured where the cake lands; winner is the longest throw in each age group. - Basketcake: One cake tossed up to 3 times toward scoring baskets; points only count if the cake stays in the basket; winner is highest combined score. - Balance race: One cake per race (1 ticket); participants run the race course once while balancing a cake on a spatula; a five-second rule allows you to re-enter if you drop the cake; winner is the fastest time in each age group. - Accuracy course: One tosser at a time (1 ticket to enter); 10 & under start from 5 ft, 11+ from 10 ft; each tosser gets one mulligan; miss twice and you’re out. Toss through progressively smaller hoops, moving back in 10 ft increments to 20 ft, 30 ft, etc. Winner is whoever hits the smallest hoop from the farthest distance in each age group. - Bake-Off: Cakes must include flour, nuts, and fruit. Drop off for judging at Memorial Park between 12:00–12:30. Tickets & participation: - $1 per ticket plus $1 to rent a fruitcake; extra fruitcake toss tickets available for $1 each. - Alternative entry: Bring canned goods to donate to St. Andrew’s / Manitou Springs Food Pantry and receive 1 ticket per can (up to 10 tickets per family). - Another option: For $5 you may rent one of the homemade fruitcakes and receive 4 tickets. Community & food drive: The event supports local food needs in partnership with the Manitou Springs Food Pantry at St. Andrews Church. Instead of only bringing money, participants are encouraged to bring non‑perishable food items in exchange for tickets to toss (10 tickets max per family). All canned goods are donated to the pantry to help stock shelves for the community. Family activities: Cool Science will be on site helping kids build their own wooden mini catapults, a perennial crowd favorite. Fruitcake samples are provided by sponsor Collin Street Bakery, and fruitcake is available for both tossing and eating. Additional local vendors and sponsors attend, including food and local businesses.
Dog Friendly
Leashed dogs are welcome at the Great Fruitcake Toss.
Family Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible