Slow-moving traveler causes Renaissance Festival traffic jam

(LARKSPUR, Colo.) — While getting to the Renaissance Festival in Larkspur sometimes causes headaches for drivers on I-25, things were even more jammed up on the interstate this weekend, in part, because of one, slow-moving traveler.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) posted a video to its X page (formally known as Twitter) on Monday morning, July 1 just before 10 a.m. to explain why. And, while it may not have been your first guess, the slower-than-usual moving traffic, was due to a hard-shelled, four-legged reptile trying to cross Perry Park Avenue.

In the video posted by DCSO and timestamped as Saturday, June 29 just after 6 p.m. deputies were seen helping an adventurous tortoise out of their cruiser as they waited for animal control to arrive.

It’s unconfirmed if the tortoise was trying to partake in the summer fair festivities.

Prior to the events captured in the video, deputies said they spotted a Good Samaritan helping the tortoise off the street and eventually bringing the reptile to safety.

On Monday night, just before 6:30 p.m. DCSO said the tortoise had been reunited with its owner.

The Renaissance Festival is currently celebrating its 47th season which began on Saturday, June 15, and runs every weekend through August 4. Tickets can be purchased online ; children under five are free and parking is also free.

The festival is located at 650 Perry Park Avenue, which is just west of I-25 and south of Castle Rock.

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