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She may have passed away in the late 1800s, but her spirit lives on today in Manitou Springs -- thanks to the teams participating in the 16th Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Race Festival.

Floyd O'Neil from the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce said there are 60 teams who will race makeshift coffins down Manitou Ave. on Saturday -- reminiscent of Emma's legendary pine box ride down the slope of Red Mountain after years of erosion took their toll on her grave site and exposed her final resting place to the elements.

The races will follow a parade that begins at 12:00 p.m.

The festival kicks off with a re-enactment of Emma's Victorian wake at Miramont Castle on Friday, Oct 29. For more information or to make a reservation, call (719) 685-1011.

Because of the number of people expected to attend the festival, traffic will be detoured through Manitou Springs as Manitou Ave. will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

O'Neil said there is a shuttle available that will bring spectators back and forth from the action.

He said the main parking lot (with a $3 charge, and you must depart by 3:00 p.m.) will be at Tajine Alami Restaurant at 10 Old Man's Trail (that's behind the Chase Bank on Manitou Ave.) and it can hold up to 200 cars. Free parking is available at Manitou Springs Middle School and Manitou Springs High School.

For more information about the rest of the weekend's events (including a Saturday evening Ghost Tour), visit the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce website.