10th Annual Frozen Dead Guy Days
A wild and wacky celebration of all things dead, frozen, and frigidly fun, Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD) has gathered international acclaim. Winning the Governor’s Award for Best Promotional Event in Colorado and the Reader’s Digest Top Five Winter Festivals in the United States, this year’s FDGD promises to be the biggest yet – with more events, sponsors, and general cold craziness.
FDGD was founded as a tribute to Grandpa Bredo Morstoel from Norway. After his death due to a heart condition in 1989, his daughter and grandson packed him in dry ice and shipped him to a U.S. cryonics facility for eventual reanimation. In 1993, they moved Grandpa to Nederland, CO in hopes to start their own cryonic facility. He has been sheltered in a Tuff Shed for 21 years, where dry ice keeps him frozen and preserved.
The Beeck sisters who produced the 1998 documentary “Grandpa’s in the TUFF SHED” and its 2003 sequel “Grandpa’s Still in the TUFF SHED,” will serve as the Festival Parade’s Grand Marshals, helping to celebrate the region’s most celebrated subzero senior citizen. The trio has created award-winning documentary films and founded the world-class Boulder International Film Festival, praising Grandpa as “launching our careers and serving as the quirky, darkly humorous material for our film which became the foundation for this festival ten years ago.”
Always taking place during the first weekend of March, there are three days of events, contests, and musical entertainment. The Blue Ball and Coffin Races are the most popular attractions. Nederland Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Blue Hessner, exclaimed that “The crowds and coverage of last year’s festival means that this year’s activities will amass people throughout the world who are intrigued by our small town, Grandpa Bredo, competition in the cold, and plain silliness.” Bringing crowds to Nederland in the dead of winter creates lasting memories for business owners and participants.
From the “ReAnimate Yourself” Beer Tent, full of vendors and live music by Onda, The Zydecoasters, The Mile Markers, etc., to the 303 Vodka “Disco Is Not Dead” Friday Night Fever Blue Ball featuring 70’s decor and music by DJs Jahsonic, Sundragon, and Milk, participants and observers alike will be amused by the awarding of the look-alike “Stayin’ Alive” Grandpa and the “Dancing” Ice Queen, along with the 200+ dressed-up contestants in the Harvest House Coffin Races. Winners receive prizes and cash.
So what else in entrailed in this eccentric festival? Activities include:
* Tours to see Grandpa (with Bo the Iceman) * Polar Plunge (benefiting the Nederland Fireworks Fund) * Parade of Hearses * Brain Freeze Ball * Frozen T-Shirt Contest * Frozen Salmon Tossing * Icy Turkey Bowling * Rocky Mountain Oyster Eating Contest * The Newly-Dead Game (new this year! testing how well life partners know each other’s last wishes) * Harvest House Coffin Races (emceed by KPBI’s Uncle Nasty) * Grandpa’s Mall Crawl along First Street (closed off to traffic for a chilling pedestrian experience) * Pancake Breakfasts (benefiting Nederland Area Seniors) * “Grandpa’s in the Tuff Shed” Movie Screenings * Sunday Funday with Kid Coffin Races, Igloo Decorating, Face Painting, Snow Treasure Hunting, and more
For a complete schedule of events: http://www.nederlandchamber.org/events_fdgd-home.html