40th Annual Cowboy Downhill, Steamboat Springs (January 20, 2014) – Over 100 ProRodeo cowboys from the National Western Stock Show will be headed to Steamboat to compete at the 40th Annual Cowboy Downhill on January 20. This unique ski rodeo will contain a full day of skiing for the cowboys to see if they are as good on skis as they are on a horse. After the race, enjoy a free concert as part of the Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concert Series.
Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival, Leadville (February 28-March 2, 2014) - Ski joring is a timed competition where a skier is pulled down a snowy road by a horse and rider. The racecourse features gates, jumps and rings. Penalties are assessed by missing gates or jumps, and by missing or dropping any of the rings. A children’s parade, Nordic and winter mountain bike races are just some of the activities happening during the event.
Frozen Dead Guy Days, Nederland (March 7-9, 2014) – October isn’t the only time of year to get spooky when March offers the Frozen Dead Guy Days. This festival celebrates Grandpa Bredo, a man who in 1989 was frozen after he died in Norway and ended up in the hills above Nederland where his daughter was located. He has remained there ever since and has become an international legend. Hearse parade floats, coffin race teams and costume polar plunging make this a not to be missed wacky event.
Flauschink, Crested Butte (April 2-6, 2014) – End the ski season and welcome spring on April 2-6 at the 46th Annual Flauschink. A historical slide show, coronation ball, polka dancing and a ski-slope salute to the king and queen (longtime residents loved by the locals) of Flauschink are all part of this wacky event. Meet previous Flauschink royalty or see the past and present royalty during the Flauschink parade!
Tulip Fairy & Elf Parade, Boulder (April 27, 2014) – Dress up and get ready to use your imagination at the Tulip Fairy & Elf Parade on April 27. Dress the little girls up like fairies or the little boys up as elves to watch the other stars of the event become tulips blooming along Pearl Street.
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Fruita (May 16-17, 2014) – In honor of the brave, young rooster who survived his destiny of becoming dinner, the town of Fruita will host the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival May 16-17. To celebrate Mike, there will be a Chicken Dance Contest, a Car Show, a “Run Like a Headless Chicken” 5k and more.
Oh Heck Yeah, Denver (June 7-July 26, 2014) – The brand new Oh Heck Yeah event will transform Champa Street, from 16th Street Mall to 14th Street, every Thursday and Saturday, from June 7 through July 26 into an arcade. LED screens and projections will be used throughout the Theater District for vintage, interactive games to play with those passing by.
Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour, Keystone (June 21-22, 2014) – For those who can’t get enough bacon, Keystone is the place to be June 21-22 for the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour. Sample the best of Iowa and Colorado bacon, and find out everything there is to know about bacon education in order to receive an All About Bacon Diploma. This year, the festival has added Colorado’s Biggest Bacon Bloody Mary Bar.
Cruise-a-Thong, Pagosa Springs (July 12-13, 2014) – For those who wouldn’t consider themselves a hardcore athlete but still love to compete, the Cruise-a-Thong takes place in Pagosa Springs. The event starts out on July 12 in Town Park with the Average Joe Race. The triathlon race starts out on cruiser bikes, then continues on foot over the Pagosa Springs River Walk, while wearing thongs (flip-flops), and ends with tubing down the San Juan River. Continue the event on the 13th with the “Hair of the Dog” disc-golf tournament.
Tour de Fat, Fort Collins (August 30, 2014) - Colorado’s own New Belgium Brewery brings their annual Tour de Fat festival to their hometown of Fort Collins on August 30. To properly kick-start the festival, Tour de Fat begins with a giant bicycle parade where bike decorations and costumes are encouraged. For the rest of the afternoon, stages heat up with world-class acts and bikes, music, dancing and a lot of good beer can be enjoyed by all.
Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Manitou Springs (October 25, 2014) - Legend has it that 19th-century local Emma Crawford was buried on Red Mountain. But when her coffin was found after a storm sent her remains racing down the mountain in 1929, there was no body to be found, causing many to believe she still haunts the mountain. The legend continues on October 25 when 50 different teams compete in the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs. Costumed pallbearers push creatively decorated coffins on wheels through the streets for the race.
