Frozen Dead Guy Days Guide 2014 by Wideawake Media

Festival Sponsors Cryogenic

Sub-Zero

Frozen

Ice Cold

Pioneer Inn, First Street Pub, Sundance Cafe, Whistlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cafe, Mod Cabin, Round House, J&L Distillery, KGNU, Sweet Wave Audio, Rooster Magazine, Neder-Net, Play It Again Sports, Mother Load. Mountain Man Outdoor Store, The Candy Man, The Train Cars, I Support U, Nedfest, 8236 Gear, Mountain-Ear Frosty

New Moon Bakery, Dam Liquor, Peak to Peak Liquor Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Contents Page 5: Welcome Letter Page 7: Festival Information Pages 9-13: A Frozen History Pages 15-17: Event Descriptions Page 19: Blue Ball Pages 20-21: Events Schedule Pages 23-25: Music Showcase Schedule Pages 27-30: Profile: FDGD Announcer Dave Felkley Pages 31-32: Dry Ice: Keeping Grandpa Frozen Pages 33-34: Denver Hearse Association Page 35: Newly Dead Game/Grandpa’s in the TUFF Shed Page 37: Monster RC Demonstration Page 38: Support Nederland Non-Profits Page 39: Festival Merchandise

Published by: Wideawake Media, Inc. Layout and Design: Wideawake Media, Inc. Photographers: Barbara Lawlor, Jeffrey V. Smith, James Dewalt Contributing Writers: Barbara Lawlor, Amber Gabbey, Jeffrey V. Smith Frozen Dead Guy Days is a production of Butterfly Effect Promotions, LLC. Butterfly Effect Promotions would like to acknowledge and thank the Town of Nederland employees, the Nederland Police and Fire personnel, and its wonderfully unique community for their help and support with this event. A Special Thanks to those who have given so much of their personal time: Bruce Lish, Deb DeAndrea, Mike Collins, Andrew Lauer, Sarah Stillman, Mark Smith, Katrina Harms, Sarah Martin, Jennifer Pund, Jeffrey Smith, Rob Z, Johnny Hedgepatch, Mike Leland, Amy Debenedictis, Nancy Stubbs, Brien Darby, Peter Fiore, Amber Gabbey, Matt Johnson, Callum & Wyatt Coulson, “Norm” and Hills and the countless volunteers from around the mountains, Front Range and Denver area who come back year after year.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Enjoy Nederland! Our town is a place like no other. Tucked in the Rocky Mountains just west of Boulder, Nederland has a history rich in mining and music and a future as the hub of the Peak to Peak Community. With our unique shops, amazing outdoor beauty, friendly locals, and vibrant music scene, Nederland is definitely not your average small town. Whether you live here, work here, or play here, we’re sure that you’ll discover that life’s better up here. While in town, visit some of our unique restaurants and shops.

Welcome

elcome life enthusiasts to the 13th annual Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, one of the most unique and coolest towns in Colorado. I hope you enjoy your time here, taking in raw beauty of the mountains, eclectic charm of Nederland and off-the-wall antics of Frozen Dead Guy Days. Although not for the faint of heart, the event is a ton of frosty fun! The creative, fun loving spirits who conceived FDGD, took on the harsh winter of Nederland and turned it into a reason to celebrate. It was designed by the Nederland Area Chamber of Commerce to introduce people to the town, give it an economic boost during one of its slowest months and make light of the fact it has a frozen, dead resident. What makes the festival unique are those who participate, not just watch. It is the plungers, coffin racers, frozen T-shirters, brain freezers, icy turkey bowlers, salmon tossers, snowy volleyballers, dancers and cheerers. It is the town’s residents who take on the challenges of the crowds with a welcoming smile. I think it’s a pretty awesome festival and I think Nederland is a pretty special place for hosting it. Please respect the community while you’re here, smile, put trash in proper containers, park in designated areas and tip your servers. Amanda MacDonald, Festival Director, and her father at — Amanda MacDonald Frozen Dead Guy Days

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Information rozen Dead Guy Days is an off-the-wall festival, but it doesn’t mean you have to be. Please be mindful of people around you and respectful of Nederland residents who allow this unique event to take place in their community.

Festival Hours

Friday, March 7: 5-10pm Saturday, March 8: 8am-8:30pm Sunday, March 9: 8am-6:30pm

Directions

FROM BOULDER: Take Hwy. 119 (Canyon Blvd.) 17 miles west to Nederland and follow signs to parking and events. FROM WESTBOUND I-70: Take I-25 north to Hwy. 36 and follow it into Boulder. Turn left on Hwy. 119 (Canyon Blvd.) and follow signs to parking and events. FROM EASTBOUND I-70: Take Exit 244 (U.S. 6) to Hwy. 119 and head north, or Exit 243 to use the Central City Parkway. Follow either route to Black Hawk/Central City, continue on Hwy. 119 north to Nederland. Follow signs to parking and events.

Transportation

Nederland is a small town and parking is limited. Carpool or take the “N” RTD Bus from Boulder to Nederland.

Parking

Be mindful when parking on the street and DO NOT park in front of driveways. Nederland is a very small town, so plan on parking for the day to keep traffic down. Everything is within walking distance. DO NOT park where there are “NO PARKING” signs. You WILL be ticketed.

Weather

It may be sunny and 60 degrees or windy and 30 degrees and it may be both in the same day. Please come prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. Wear comfortable, weather proof shoes and a genuine smile whenever possible.

Dogs

Dogs are NOT ALLOWED in the tents or tent area. The festival is crowded, loud and chaotic—please leave your dog at home. All town laws also apply, including: • Dogs must be on a leash AT ALL TIMES. • Dogs tied up outside event tents, shops

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

and restaurants without an owner are considered “at large” and may be ticketed. • You must pick up after your dog!

Alcohol

Open alcohol containers are not allowed in Nederland town limits. Outside alcohol is NOT allowed in any event tent. You must be 21+ with proof of age to receive a wristband and purchase tickets for alcohol. Servers will not take cash. You will be told by Security or Police to dispose of alcohol when consumed in public areas, INCLUDING streets and neighborhoods.

Smoking

Please use common sense and consideration when smoking at Frozen Dead Guy Days. There is NO SMOKING in any tent and where posted. All other smoking laws and regulations apply.

Forget Something?

Local stores can help with your needs, including Mountain Man Outdoor, Ace Hardware, Dandelion and B&F Grocery. ATMs are located around town and in festival tents.

Festival History

‘Frozen dead guy,’ festival feature fascinating histories

elebrating its 13th year in 2014, for more than 30 years. He loved a house with no electricity or plumbing. Nederland, Colorado’s Frozen painting, fishing, skiing, and hiking in This meant the family’s dream of a cryonics facility would end. Before Dead Guy Days is known as one the mountains of his homeland. of the most unique and quirky It’s after he died from a heart Aud was to head back to Norway she festivals in the country and continues condition in 1989 that things got spoke to a local reporter about her son’s to be a world-renowned spectacle. The interesting. His daughter, Aud Morstoel, deportation and casually wondered aloud homegrown frosty fest pays homage to and grandson, Trygve Bauge, were both “what would happen to the bodies.” This comment started advocates Bredo Morstol, who is frozen in a state strong the snowball of of suspended animation and housed in for cryonics and discovery of the a TUFF Shed on dry ice high above had hoped to start makeshift cryonics a facility of their Nederland. chamber, and Thousands of active, fun-loving, own. They packed therefore, Grandpa winter enthusiasts come annually to Grandpa in dry ice and another man participate in and view the events along and prepared him for from Chicago that with local, national and international international travel, died of liver failure. first shipping him media. With the media For the past 25 years, Bredo Morstoel to the Trans Time coverage, the other –“Grandpa,” the “Frozen Dead Guy”– Cryonics Facility man’s family had soon to be 114, has taken up residence in a in Oakland, Calif. Bo Shaffer was known as the “Ice Man” when he him shipped back to TUFF Shed where he remains very, very Here, he was placed cared for Grandpa Bredo from 1995-2012 cold. Suspended in a state of animation in liquid nitrogen for almost four years. Chicago and was cremated. above the quaint mountain town of In 1993 he was moved to Colorado to Nederland’s Board of Trustees Nederland, Colorado, Grandpa is frozen stay with his daughter and grandson in soon passed Section 7-34 of the local Nederland – and there Municipal Code, still in effect today at a steady minus 60 he stayed, for years, thanks to Grandpa, stating that it is degrees Fahrenheit and under cold cover…in illegal to store a frozen human or animal awaiting the big thaw a shed. Due to some (or any body part thereof) in your that will bring him pesky international visa home. After being “grand-fathered” in, back to life. issues, he was about to Morstoel was allowed to stay. The story that ends be left on his own. with Grandpa in a TUFF Shed starts in The Iceman Cometh and Go-eth The Grandfather Norway by way of When an intriguing internet ad posted California ending in Clause by Bauge caught Bo Shaffer’s eye Colorado, involving Bauge, the grandson, in 1995, he applied for the one-of-acryonics, psychics, was deported from kind job and got it. Shaffer came to be deportation, dedicated Bredo Morstoel is kept on dry ice in this Colorado in 1994 known in Nederland as the “Ice Man.” ice delivery people and TUFF Shed in Nederland. because of a 14 year Every month, Shaffer and a team of celebrations. The tale expired visa. He volunteers delivered 1,600 pounds of captured international attention and has qualified for amnesty on a 1986 act but dry ice and packed it around Grandpa sparked a well-attended annual event refused to file the paperwork on principal. in his TUFF Shed tomb, surrounded called the Frozen Dead Guy Days. After being forcibly carried on an by foam padding, a tarp, and blankets. airplane, Bauge was sent back to Norway, For 18 years, Shaffer kept Grandpa at where he lives to this day. Aud, Grandpa’s a steady -100 degrees Fahrenheit, kept Life After Death Morstoel lived his whole daughter, moved in to the unfinished home records and gave tours to investigators, life in Norway, where he enjoyed a and stepped in to care for the household, inquisitive filmmakers, and amateur comfortable existence as Director of including keeping Grandpa cold. Soon, Aud was evicted for living in Parks and Recreation in Baerum County Continued on page 11

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Festival History Continued from page 9

New Era of Ice Delivery

sightseers. In some cases psychics In October 2012, news spread that have wandered up and have purported Shaffer had differences with Bauge and to communicate with Grandpa. One Jane Curtis Gazit of Keep Magnolia older account claims Morstoel is Clean was hired to take over care for amused by the fuss but doing fine, but Morstoel. Along with delivering dry ice a more recent visit revealed that he is each month to the TUFF Shed, Gazit quiet and perhaps kept all the records. has moved on. In 2014, ice delivery Shaffer felt is handled by Brad the weight of this Wickham, who r e s p o n s i b i l i t y, recently retreated knowing how much to Nederland to has been invested get away from the in keeping Grandpa stress of his 20+ year in his cryonic career in healthcare. state. Shaffer’s Now semi-retired, participation helped The Coffin Races are a highlight of Frozen Dead he makes extra cash keep the hope Guy Days. by taking care of alive for Grandpa’s Bredo. He is also family and their faith in cryonics. More paid by the family to be a local caretaker locally, he helped bring the Frozen for the property, plowing the driveway Dead Guy Days, an annual festival in and making sure the house and shed are Nederland, into reality of a full-fledged left undisturbed. He also takes phone calls winter celebration attracting thousands from reporters, answers questions from worldwide. the general public and leads tours.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

It’s a Dead Man’s Party

Colorado’s “most frigidly fun festival” features outrageous events like the coffin races, costumed polar plunge, ice turkey bowling, frozen T-shirt contest, brain freeze contests, snow beach volleyball, a parade of hearses and the frozen salmon toss. It all takes place amid a free music festival featuring some of Colorado’s most talented acts in an “eccentric cross between morbid and hilarious that permeates the weekend’s atmosphere.” Nederland thrives on the colorful, the offbeat, and the weird. Frozen Dead Guy Days, coined “Cryonics’ first Mardi Gras” by Bauge, is a fitting way to end the short days of winter and head into the melting snows of spring. Frozen Dead Guy Days brings a new burst of life with creative contests like the Frozen T-shirt and Brain Freeze and icy events including coffin racing, polar plunging, and frozen salmon tossing. Continued on page 13

Festival History Continued from page 11

Every March, people travel from around the state, country and world to experience the legacy of Grandpa.

25 years on ice and counting

This year marks Grandpa’s 25th year on ice and the festival’s 13th year in celebration of this unique landmark. Frozen Dead Guy Days has received media coverage locally and worldwide. It was named by the Chicago Tribune as one the country’s “Top 100 Festivals Not to be Missed.” Video footage of Frozen Dead Guy Days has graced the networks on many broadcasts including Bill Geist’s segment on the “CBS Sunday Morning Show,” the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” CNN, ABC News, PBS features, the Game Show Network and a Belgian reality show. The festival has also been “immortalized” by two international award-winning documentaries, Grandpa’s In The TUFF Shed and Grandpa’s Still In The TUFF Shed by the Beeck Sisters. A few years ago, Bo Shaffer’s Book Colorado’s Ice- “The Dude” emerges from the Polar man and the Story of the Frozen Plunge. Dead Guy was published and the whole saga of the last two decades was chronicled. The event also won the Colorado Governor’s Award for “best promotional event” in 2010 and was featured in the New York Times. In addition to more than a decade of coverage around the world (including television shows from Belgium, Canada and Russia), Frozen Dead Guy Days was named one of the top five winter festivals in the country by Readers Digest, has graced the pages Southwest Airlines’ Spirit magazine and made the “Top Ten” lists of Lonely Planet and Hotels.com “must-sees in 2012.” CNN has the event listed as one of the best costumed festivals in the country and the story of Grandpa Bredo was recently featured on the Travel Channel’s Monumental Mysteries.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Event Descriptions Saturday 3/8

ALL event participants must sign a waiver and be wearing a proof-of-waiver wrist band. Sign a waiver and pick up a wrist band at the Teen Center, 8am-11am Saturday or at the event.

Costume Polar Plunge

Coffin Racing

Entry fee - $20

Entry fee - $100 per team

Saturday, March 8 • 1pm Chipeta Park

Saturday, March 8 • 2pm Chipeta Park

PORTION OF PROCEEDS GO TO NEDERLAND FIRE BUCKET BRIGADE

Those craving the “full frozen experience” can jump into the icy-cold pond waters of Chipeta Park. A changing and warming tent, sponsored by RC Rental, and towels are available once you’ve chilled your bones. A portion of proceeds are donated to the Nederland Bucket Brigade. No running, no diving and no nudity. Costumes are encouraged, but stay away from materials that will become heavy in water. One frozen body is enough!

Grandpa's Pub Crawl

Saturday, March 8 • 10pm-2am Various (list below and more)

Bands perform in area restaurants and bars all weekend, but Saturday night is a particularly fun night to check out local nightlife. • Tracorum: Pioneer Inn • ONDA: First Street Pub 15 E. First Street, Nederland 35 E. First Street, Nederland • Smooth Money Gesture: • Gipsy Moon (7pm), Juba Whistler’s Café Juba (10pm): Stage Stop 121 N. Jefferson St, Nederland 60 Main Street, Rollinsville (free shuttle service offered)

Six “Pallbearers” (team members) slide, roll, drag, or carry a coffin including a live 75-pound or heavier “corpse” through a course of snow, mud and who knows what, obstacles. Finish times are determined when the last team member has “crossed-over” the finish line. The top four teams then race against each other with the best three times determining 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Cash awards will be given to the top 3 costumed crafts. •C offins can be constructed of any materials. Tops are not required and are discouraged • A LL team members must be wearing a helmet at all times during entire race or risk elimination o metal cleats or cramp-ons are allowed. Plastic • N cleats are acceptable •R ace numbers must be displayed on your coffin rider • G ood sportsperson-like conduct is required. Any acts deemed unsportsperson-like may disqualify the entire team from the race • Team members who are obviously intoxicated will not be allowed to participate • C ostumes are highly encouraged

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Event Descriptions Saturday-Sunday 3/8-9

ALL event participants must sign a waiver and be wearing a proof-of-waiver wrist band. Sign a waiver and pick up a wrist band at the Teen Center, 8am-11am Saturday or at the event.

Xcel Brain Freeze Contest

Saturday, March 8 from 3-4pm & Sunday, March 9 from 2-3pm BrainFreezer Tent on First Street Entry fee - $5

Participants go head to head downing frozen Slushie drinks in a brain chilling race for fun prizes. The first to finish wins. • ALL participants must sign waiver and be wearing the proof of waiver bracelet • All the frozen beverage must end up in the participant’s mouth to win • Hands to yourself and you must remain seated during contest

Glass Werx Icy Turkey Bowling

Saturday, March 8 • 3-5pm & Sunday, March 9 • 1-3pm In front of the BrainFreezer Tent on First Street Entry fee - $5

Pins are the target, fowl the ball… more specifically a frozen turkey • ALL participants must sign waiver and be wearing the proof of waiver bracelet • Each bowler gets three rolls to knock down as many pins as possible - high score is 18 • Icy Turkey can be rolled, thrown, heaved, tossed or flung past the pins as long as the bowler is behind the throw line when the bird leaves his/her hand

Pioneer Inn Frozen T-Shirt Contest

Saturday, March 8 at 1pm & 5pm and Sunday, March 9 at 1pm Pioneer Inn Entry fee - $5

Sunday 3/9

Sign up to slip into something frozen at the Pioneer Inn located on First Street in Nederland. Contestants race to don frozen t-shirts, using only the ground and their bodies. The solidly frozen and folded T-shirts can prove to be quite worthy opponents. • Cash prizes for male and female winners

Frozen Salmon Toss

Sunday, March 9 • 11am-2pm Sundance Café Entry fee - $5

Created by Sundance Café owner Hillary Stevensen and modeled after Seattle Fish Market. Frozen salmon are provided and contestants throw them for distance. Spectators can enjoy spectacular views of the Continental Divide while sipping on a Bloody Mary. • Farthest flung fish wins the prize •C ome by anytime during event; participate early before the salmon “swims upstream”

Snowy Beach Volleyball sponsored by Play It Again Sports

Sunday, March 9 • 1pm Chipeta Park Entry fee - None

Snowy Beach Volley Ball consists of “speed rounds” where teams of three post up on a chilly court of snow. • Speed tournament • First come, first serve

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Friday, MArch 7 - Blue

Blue Ball grows with new venue, time By Bruce Lish FDGD Music Coordinator he annual Frozen Dead Guy Days event where the Ice Queen is crowned and Grandpa Bredo’s look-alike is proclaimed is moving to a new location and an earlier time. The Blue Ball is once again the featured Friday event that kicks off the “frozen” weekend. For the first time, however, it takes place in the spacious and welcoming confines of the ReAnimate Yourself Tent in Chipeta Park. The event begins earlier, at 5 p.m., and runs until late-night music begins in local bars at 10 p.m. Festival vendors will be available to cater to your food and beverage desires.

One advantage of the change of venue is an expanded, stellar lineup with a reasonable ticket price. For 2014, we are proud to feature three bands that have won the hearts of locals and are making their indelible marks in Colorado and beyond: Caribou Mountain Collective, Gipsy Moon and, headliner, DeadPhish Orchestra. These bands epitomize the wide-ranging, energetic, fun-loving nature of the Nederland and Front Range music scene popular with music lovers nationwide. Adding to the fun: The much-anticipated Ice Queen and Grandpa Bredo LookAlike Contest is at 8 p.m. following Gipsy Moon’s set. The winners will be announced near the end of the show.

Ball

ReAnimate Yourself Tent (Chipeta Park) Tickets: $10 (Purchase advance tickets to get a free beer)

5-6:15pm: Caribou Mountain Collective

www.cariboumountaincollective.com Featuring their own unique brand of songwriting and modern roots revival, the Nederland-based progressive bluegrass outfit CMC is continuing a local tradition of helping to redefine our mountain musical heritage.

6:45-8pm: Gipsy Moon

www.gipsymoon.net With a recently released debut CD in their back pockets, ‘young’ local favorites Gispy Moon continue to define and grow their unique, energetic sound that is rapidly gaining fans around the region and beyond.

8pm Ice Queen/Grandpa Look-Alike Contest (Winners crowned at end of the night)

8:30-10pm: DeadPhish Orchestra

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

www.deadphishorchestra.com Returning for an encore appearance in the ‘wake’ of last year’s boisterous and memorable Saturday Showcase set, we are proud to present Nederland friends DeadPhish Orchestra as the headliner for this year’s Blue Ball!

ANY EVENTS CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER ON SATURDAY WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT THE SAME TIME ON SUNDAY

Saturday 3/8

Friday 3/7

Event Schedule

5-10pm

Blue Ball ReAnimate Yourself Beer Tent (Chipeta Park) Annual Blue Ball featuring DeadPhish Orchestra, Gipsy Moon and Caribou Mountain Collective. Ice Queen and Grandpa look-alike contest at 8 p.m. Prizes feature Carhartt gear including pants, jackets and hats provided by Mountain Man Outdoor Store. • $10 at door/ buy in advance to get beer token

8-11am

FDGD Pancake Breakfast Community Center (Half-mile North on Hwy. 72, or take the path up Jefferson St.)

Pancakes and more! Eggs and sausage, coffee and juice and all you can eat pancakes. Warm your belly for your day outdoors! • $ 7 Adult, $5 Senior, $4 Under 12 Sponsored by and supporting Nederland Area Seniors

9-11am

Event Day Registration, Waiver Wristband Pickup and Parade Lineup Teen Center – East end of First Street ALL event participants MUST sign a waiver and get a waiver wristband. If participating in any event, this is the best place to get everything in advance. • R egister for Polar Plunge, Coffin Races, Parade Contest • Waiver pickup for ALL FDGD events • Lineup for the parade

11am-8:30pm

BrainFreezer Tent First Street •M icrobrew beer from Avery Brewing • Specialty Corpse Reviver & Grandpa’s Spirit drinks • Free Live Music (see music schedule) • Grandpa’s Gift Shop and food vendors. Sponsored by Avery Brewing Co. & J& L Distillery

10:30am-5pm

Open house with Turkey Vultures Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center Enjoy an open house featuring the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (formal presentation at 2pm) with vultures, spiders, scorpions and cockroaches.

11am-8pm

Grandpa’s Mall Crawl First Street Nederland’s First Street, east of the Visitor Center, is transformed into a pedestrian mall for revelers to enjoy music in the BrainFreezer Tent, street performers and participate in brain freezer, frozen T-shirt and icy turkey bowling contests and more.

• Microbrew beer from Avery Brewing • Specialty Corpse Reviver & Grandpa’s Spirit drinks • Grandpa’s gift shop and food vendors Sponsored by Avery Brewing Co. & 303 Vodka

6pm

Opening Ceremony and Zombie Procession Hwy. 119/72 Roundabout Open Frozen Dead Guy Days at the Nederland

11am-8:30pm

ReAnimate Yourself Beer Tent Chipeta Park • Microbrew beer from Avery Brewing • Specialty Corpse Reviver & Grandpa’s Spirit drinks • Free Live Music (see music schedule) • Grandpa’s Gift Shop & food vendors Sponsored by Avery Brewing Co. & 303 Vodka

11am-4pm

“Grandpa’s in the TUFF Shed” film Black Forest Restaurant Watch the award-winning “Grandpa’s in the TUFF Shed” short film. Screens about every 30 minutes.

Noon

Parade of Hearses First Street The parade of hearses begins at the Nederland Teen Center and goes west up First Street. Line the sides of the street for the best viewing. Parade participants must check in and lineup at the Teen Center.

Noon-5pm

Tiny Disco Polar Plunge Warming Tent in Chipeta park Put a little boogie in your butt at the Tiny Disco.

1pm & 5pm

Pioneer Inn Frozen T-shirt Contest First Street in front of the Pioneer Inn Try and slip into something frozen, faster than everyone else. • $10 entry fee • Waiver must be signed to participate

1pm & 5pm

The Newly-Dead Game and Funny Films Talk Black Forest Restaurant Funny Films for Funeral Planning is a collection of comedy movie and TV scenes about funerals, cremation, and cryonics. Gail Rubin presents must-know-NOW details and hosts The NewlyDead Game, quizzing couples on about their last wishes.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

roundabout with the lighting of the center piece followed by a Frozen Zombie Procession through town to the Blue Ball in Chipeta Park.

10pm

Live Music Various Locations Live bands perform in several area restaurants and bars through out Nederland and Rollinsville.

1pm-2pm

Costume Polar Plunge Chipeta Park Jump into the icy-cold pond waters of Chipeta Park. A portion of the proceeds go to the Nederland Fire Bucket Brigade. • Each Plunge $20 Warming Hut and Changing Area sponsored by RC Rentals

2-3:30pm

Coffin Races Chipeta Park Teams race with a coffin and ‘corpse’ through a course full of obstacles, mud, snow, other racers. • CASH PRIZE for best costumed team • Trophies (and more) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place

3-5pm

Glass Werx Icy Turkey Bowling First Street across from BrainFreezer Tent Test your poultry bowling skills. You can also BYOFF (bring your own frozen fowl). • $5 entry fee • Waiver must be signed to participate

3pm-4pm

Xcel Brain Freeze Contest In front of the BrainFreezer Tent on First Street Be a Brain Freezer in front of the BrainFreezer Tent on First Street. Contestants race against each other downing ice cold treats for fabulous prizes. • $5 entry fee • Waiver must be signed to participate

5-6pm

Frozen Dead Poet Society Open Readings On soap box on First Street across from BrainFreezer Tent Bring poems, musings and Odes to Grandpa for open readings.

6:30pm-2am

Grandpa’s Pub Crawl Various Locations Live bands perform in area restaurants and bars.

Sunday 3/9

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2am on Sunday, March 9. Be sure to “Spring Forward” to not miss anything!

8-11am

FDGD Pancake Breakfast Community Center (Half-mile North on Hwy. 72, or take the path up Jefferson St.)

Pancakes and more! Eggs and sausage, coffee and juice and all you can eat pancakes. Warm your belly for your day outdoors! • $7 Adult, $5 Senior, $4 Under 12 Sponsored by and supporting Nederland Area Seniors

9:30am-4pm

11am-6pm

BrainFreezer Tent First Street • Microbrew beer from Avery Brewing • Specialty Corpse Reviver & Grandpa’s Spirit drinks • Free Live Music (see music schedule) • Grandpa’s Gift Shop and food vendors. Sponsored by Avery Brewing Co. & J& L Distillery

11am-8pm

11am-6:30pm

11am-2pm

Salmon Toss & Sunday Brunch Sundance Café (1 mile south of Nederland ) • Farthest flung fish wins the prize • $5 entry fee; Come by anytime! • Waiver must be signed to participate Snowy Beach Volleyball Chipeta Park • Speed tournament, first come, first serve • Waiver must be signed to participate • $20/team Sponsored by Play It Again Sports

11am-2pm

Frozen Monster Remote Control Truck Demo Chipeta Park • See an exciting demo of all-terrain, remote controlled monster trucks

11am-4pm

“Grandpa’s in the TUFF Shed” film Black Forest Restaurant Watch the award-winning “Grandpa’s in the TUFF Shed” short film. Shows about every 30 minutes.

1pm

Pioneer Inn Frozen T-shirt Contest Pioneer Inn Restaurant & Bar (15 E. First St.) How fast can you put on a frozen T-shirt? Find out and compete for prizes at this annual event. • $10 entry fee • Waiver must be signed to participate

1pm

The Newly-Dead Game and Funny Films Talk Black Forest Restaurant Funny Films for Funeral Planning is a collection of comedy movie and TV scenes about funerals, cremation, and cryonics. Gail Rubin, presents must-know-now details and hosts The NewlyDead Game.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

1-3pm

Ice Carving with Bongo Love Chipeta Park • Chainsaw + Ice = something lovely to see Glass Werx Icy Turkey Bowling First Street across from BrainFreezer Tent Test your poultry bowling skills. • $5 entry fee • Waiver must be signed to participate

2pm-3pm

Xcel Brain Freeze Contest On First Street in front of BrainFreezer Tent Contestants race against each other downing ice cold treats for fabulous prizes. • $5 entry fee • Waiver must be signed to participate

3-4pm

Frozen Dead Poet Society Open Readings On soap box on First Street across from BrainFreezer Tent Bring poems, musings and Odes to Grandpa for open readings.

3pm

Rocky Mountain Oyster Eating Contest First Street Pub & Grill (35 E. First St.) Race to eat as many “oysters” as you can. • $5 entry fee • Waiver must be signed to participate

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

2014 Music Showcase Schedule

Welcome to the Frozen Dead Guy Days Music Showcase!

BrainFreezer Tent

ReAnimate Yourself Tent

BrainFreezer ReAnimate Tent Yourself Tent

rom humble high altitude beginnings, the Frozen Dead Guy Days Music Showcase has grown to encompass two stages located in separate outdoor heated tents, presenting 20-plus acts over the course of three days in our wonderful winterland of Nederland, Colo. With the exception of the (very reasonably priced) traditional, ‘infamous’ Blue Ball on Friday evening, all music is presented free to the general public. The 2014 Showcase lineup is eclectic as ever, featuring all manner of pleasure-inducing bluegrass and newgrass, psychedelic rock, funk and soul, jazz fusion, and modern mountain folk—in some cases all wrapped together in unique new musical packages! Whether you are wandering downtown Ned checking out the scenery, strolling along Boulder Creek in the park, visiting local shops or rolling into town from one of the nearby restaurants just up the road, we welcome you to please pay a visit to the ReAnimate Yourself Tent and the BrainFreezer Tent and check out our handpicked selection of musicians from the Nederland area, around the Front Range, and in some cases, from as far away as California and the Midwest! Thank you very much for supporting Frozen Dead Guy Days and the Music Showcase. If you have a good time, we ask that you please patronize our valued festival vendors and event sponsors who help make this late winter frozen fun possible. Enjoy! Bruce Lish, FDGD Music Showcase Coordinator

Saturday, March 8

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

1-2:30 p.m.

3-4:30 p.m.

5-6:30 p.m.

7-8:30 p.m.

New Family Dog

Kort McCumber & the High Road

Tracorum

Smooth Money Gesture

Dead Floyd

Louder Sisters & Friends

Acoustic Mining Company

ONDA’s Latin Grass The Zimmermans

Sunday, March 9

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

1-2:30 p.m.

3-4:30 p.m.

5-6:30 p.m.

Reina del Cid & the Cidizens

Zen Mustache

Jeff Brinkman Band

Rocktin’ Grove

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

1-2 p.m.

2:30-4 p.m.

4:30-6 p.m.

NoGo Gilbillies

Lesley Kernochan

Jelly Bread

Holden Young & Friends

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Dawg Nabbit!

All music is FREE and open to the public, with the exception of the Blue Ball on Friday, March 7 from 5-10 p.m. The event features the Ice Queen & Grandpa Bredo Look-Alike Costume Contest and music from DeadPhish Orchestra, Gispy Moon and Caribou Mountain Collective.

2014 Music Showcase Schedule Friday, March 7

The Blue Ball (see page 19)

ReAnimate Yourself Tent in Chipeta Park • Tickets: $10 (Purchase advance tickets to get a free beer) 5-6:15 p.m.: Caribou Mountain Collective; 6:45-8 p.m.: Gipsy Moon; 8 p.m.: Ice Queen/Grandpa Look-Alike Costume Contest; 8:30-10 p.m.: DeadPhish Orchestra

Saturday, March 8 BrainFreezer Tent (First Street in ‘downtown’ Nederland) ReAnimate Yourself Tent (Chipeta Park)

11am-12:30pm

1-2:30pm

3-4:30pm

5-6:30pm

7-8:30pm

11am-12:30pm

New Family Dog

www.reverbnation.com/newfamilydog Guitarist Jon Ridnell is a master of funk and jazz, and virtually any genre you’d like to hear. New Family Dog is a wonderful collection of players featuring some of the best the Nederland area has to offer, including Miles “Blackdog Junior” Ridnell on bass and vocals.

Kort McCumber & High Road

www.kortmusic.com Kort McCumber embodies the spirit of musical expression that have drawn so many talented and dedicated artists to the Colorado region. Along with Strangebyrds’ace guitarist and Rollinsville local Ray Smith, High Road is going to help kick this party into a higher gear.

Tracorum

www.tracorum.com This act from the San Francisco Bay Area known for “epic” live shows has a modern sound steeped in the traditional roots of rock, soul and R&B. We look forward to Tracorum adding Nederland to its lengthy resume of soul-quenching, musical experiences.

Smooth Money Gesture

www.smoothmoneygesture.com Bringing a vast array of experience and influences—ranging from bluegrass to electronica—to their unique brand of Nederland high-energy, psychedelic rock, Smooth Money Gesture is a rock band like few others.

Dead Floyd

Featuring some of the finest folks who have helped put the word “lady” back in the middle of “local pickers,” the Louder Sisters’ sweet harmonies and melodies are a great way to start out the day while the parade fills First Street.

1-2:30pm

3-4:30pm

Acoustic Mining Company

www.acousticminingcompany.com Recipients of the not-so-official “Musicians Who Best Braved The Elements 2013” award, we hope our friends in Acoustic Mining Company have a smoother ride up the canyon this year, and look forward to their top-shelf Front Range bluegrass.

ONDA’s Latin Grass w/guests Silas

Herman (Gipsy Moon) & Alex Johnstone (Rapidgrass)

5-6:30pm

7-8:30pm

www.deadfloyd.com A seamless synthesis of two legendary influences, Dead Floyd has been steadily turning heads and ears around the Front Range—and with good reason. The band creates a vibe that is the perfect compliment and highlight to our funky, frozen festival.

Louder Sisters & Friends

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

www.ondalive.com Local Latin dance legends ONDA make a special bluegrass-tinted appearance in the BrainFreezer tent this year. “Incendiary” was the word used by some to describe 2013’s version of this special treat.

The Zimmermans

www.facebook.com/TheZimmermansBand The Zimmermans’ tribute to the great Bob Dylan is inspired and energetic, front to back. Unique, excellent selections from one of the greatest songbooks of its time are a major highlight from this group of talented, tight and fun-loving musicians.

Dawg Nabbit!

www.fatrabbitband.com; www.blackdogband.com The Fat Rabbit gang and Blackdog clan join to jam funky jazz-rock fusion and present a special set of hand-picked selections. Featuring horns, pedal steel, electric mando and guitar, this group presents an encore of a special Independence Day project.

Sunday, March 9 BrainFreezer Tent (E. 1st Street, ‘downtown’ Nederland) ReAnimate Yourself Tent (Chipeta Park)

11am-12:30pm

Reina del Cid & the Cidizens

11-12:30pm

www.reinadelcidmusic.com This soulful ensemble hailing from Minneapolis, Minn. has already won hearts and fans around the Denver area, and we are certain of the same result when the Cidizens visit the Indian Peaks.

1-2:30pm

www.facebook.com: NoGo Gilbillies The Gilbillies represent all that is well and good in the Nederland area bluegrass-picking scene: authenticity, community, a downright fast and friendly ‘pickin’ good time.’

1-2pm

Zen Mustache

www.zenmustache.com With a funky, countrified classic rock sound reminiscent of decades past, Zen Mustache’s sound of Denver rock is a welcome shot of foot-stomping joy for wintertime Sunday afternoon.

3-4:30pm

5-6:30pm

Jeﬀ Brinkman Band

www.jeffbrinkmanmusic.com Jeff Brinkman’s work as a soulful, talented (and philanthropic) singer-songwriter is recognized far beyond the Front Range where his lifelong inspiration has found a home. We are proud to welcome Jeff and his band back to Frozen Dead Guy Days.

Rocktin’ Grove

NoGo Gilbillies

2:30-4pm

4:30-6pm

www.rocktingrove.com Rocktin’ Grove’s rich vocal harmonies, unique and varied instrumentation will send you home from the festival with a smile. The band creates a seamless blend of rock, funk and folk with infectious grooves and songs inspired by the beauty and wonder of everyday life.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Lesley Kernochan

www.lesleykernochan.com The multi-instrumentalist, multi-faceted singersongwriter-composer-operatic diva, Lesley Kernochan returns to Colorado for a visit from her new digs outside N.Y.C., along the way gracing FDGD with a solo set, new songs, ”and a sexy new guitar!”

Jelly Bread

www.jellybread.net This act from the Reno/Lake Tahoe area, with their very own home-cooked alt version of hard-rocking funk and soul, are not to be missed. It features inthe-pocket grooves, swampy guitars, soaring gospel organ and four-part harmonies.

Holden Young & Friends

www.holdenyoung.com Frozen festival veteran and Front Range groove master extraordinaire, ace guitarist Holden Young is brewing up an augmented group of friends to help us close the 2014 frigid flaps on the BrainFreezer Tent in grand style.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

PROFILE: Dave FelkLey

By Barbara Lawlor o one knew what to expect at the first Frozen Dead Guy Days festival. Although Bredo Moerstol’s frozen corpse had been discovered at least five years previous, the subject had died down after the initial media frenzy and courtroom procedures. The Norwegian press returned to Bredo’s homeland, the shed containing the cryogenically preserved body was locked up and the hubbub cooled down. In 2001, seeking a way to boost the town’s winter economy, Teresa Warren, president of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, had an idea: How about a festival celebrating our cryogenically frozen Norwegian grandpa? Being of a persuasive nature, Warren got the snowball rolling and soon, after much discussion of pros and cons, Frozen Dead Guy Days was born to aid the town economy and for something to do in snowy March. Nederland’s resident Dave Felkley, “announcer-for-any-occasion,” eagerly jumped on the sleigh. Known for decades as the Bolder-Boulder and NederNederland race announcer—and many other events—Felkley was happy to join the fledgling festival. If it involved the outdoors, happy people, or people who wanted to be happy, he was all for it. At the time, Felkley was involved with the chamber and figured it was his civic duty to be part of an event that would bring people to Nederland in March, the “dead month” of the town’s economic year. “I’ll do it,” he shouted. “I thought it was weird, but I was working at the [local retial store] Bucking Brown Trout at the time and business was not just slow, it was just about at a standstill.” It was 2002 and he signed on to announce just about every FDGD event including the parade, coffin races, polar

An announcer’s view of a frozen festival plunge, brain freeze and Grandpa Look- and explanations of how the nice, old Norwegian grandfather ended up in a a-Like Contest. Although Felkley has given up some of TUFF Shed in Nederland. At the Pioneer Inn, Felkley also the events to other announcers, he has never missed a FDGD Parade. Although announced the first Grandpa Look-ahe won’t be announcing the parade in Like Contest. He says that first day was 2014 since his stage-five cancer will not a huge success, with people coming allow him to stand in the cold for long, he from all over the country to see for plans on sitting on the Mountain People’s themselves what could have possessed Co-op deck and enjoying the show for the an entire town to celebrate a frozen import living in a shed. first time in 12 years. Fox News made sure the whole He will bring his note cards, including his KRYO FDGD station “from -90 country knew about the event and degrees on your radio dial,” and his foreign newspapers made sure the whole well-seasoned advice for the person or world knew about it. Felkley went home persons taking over for him. Don’t cry and had his one beer, thinking that it had gone well. for me, he says, “I Preparations for will be having a great 2003 began almost time, as always.” immediately, before Felkley pulls out the March ice his supply of FDGD melted. Nederland T-shirts and holds knew it had stumbled up the first one onto something big, with the picture of something worth long white bearded repeating, something Norwegian. He says bigger and better. he was surprised at That year, big media how many people guys were prepared showed up back to give the festival then, how the word all the coverage had spread about it warranted. Bill the zany, out of this Geist of the “CBS world, somewhat Dave Felkley works the mic at the first Sunday Morning macabre festival. It Grandpa Look-A-Like Contest. Show” came for the was as if this event gave license to the general public to weekend with his crew of cameramen become skeletons, ice-covered corpses and his on-site announcers. Not only did they film the event, and frost covered queens; to participate in a race in which someone is stuffed they participated in the activities. into a coffin while costumed madmen Felkley interviewed them in the street carry the casket over frozen hills and as they frolicked through the parade, as they leaped into the frozen kids’ into slushy mud holes. Many locals participated in the fishing pond and as they danced at the coffin race, which Felkley announced Blue Ball. in detail, keeping the crowd entertained Continued on page 29 with “cold stories,” “deep freeze jokes,”

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

An announcer’s view of a frozen festival morphed from being a small town’s, small event into a major Colorado attraction A snow sculpture contest took place with thousands of people heading up in the heart of downtown, a 5K race was the canyon to Nederland where the now hosted at Eldora—from where most of weekend-long festival has constant the snow was trucked for bands, beer and banter the coffin races—and the from Nederland’s own Blue Ball was held at the “Mr. Big Foot,” as Felkey Black Forest Restaurant. is known to many locals. Felkey announced the In 2004, the Beeck event which attracted a Sisters presented their bunch of women dressed film, Grandpa’s in the as the Ice Queen, most of TUFF Shed at Nederland’s them with ghastly makeup Backdoor Theater. The and glittery gowns. film won awards and “I loved it,” Felkey has become one of the said. “I loved to have fun must-see entertainment with people. It’s what I offerings during the do. It’s my deal. It is more Dave Felkley holds the annual festival. Felkey stood in fun announcing this kind Ripley’s Believe It Or Not book that the roundabout on Friday of thing rather than a race includes himself. night and welcomed because with the Frozen visitors as Nederland’s Dead Guy Festival you can make all the mayor cut the opening ceremony ribbon. plans you want, but you better be ready He says it was always bitter cold, for whatever might happen right in front windy, snowy and the microphone hardly of you, and then turn it into a joke.” ever worked, but if anyone could raise The next five years, the FDGD his voice for the cause, it was Felkey. Continued from page 27

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

PROFILE: Dave FelkLey

That same year, local blind resident Ray Rovey was the unanimous favorite for the look-a-like contest and both he and Felkey were featured in the annual Ripley’s Believe It Or Not book. Other events were added to the festival to keep the action going between the coffin race, parade and polar plunge, and to fill Sunday. Rocky Mountain Oyster eating, Brain Freeze and the Frozen T-Shirt Contest were all added to Felkey’s to-do list. He kept cue cards from each year, able to hear a name and relate something about that person from the preceding year. He made everyone feel not just welcome, but an essential part of the festival. By 2005, Felkey was no longer announcing the coffin races, KBCO had become a sponsor and sent up disc jockies and a sound system. Felkey said he enjoyed co-hosting events, coming up with hilarious repartees. Announcing the Rocky Mountain Oyster Eating Contest has stayed on his menu, however. The run continues in 2014, leaving Felkey happy to be indoors and not walking around. Continued on page 30

PROFILE: Dave FelkLey

An announcer’s view of a frozen festival

Continued from page 29

By 2007, celebrities such as Bob Kendrick and Marty Coniglio, of Denver’s Channel 9 News, found Nederland FDGD festival to be an appealing place to announce news and weather. New Belgium and Redstone Meadery brought up kegs and kegs of beer, which has become a given in the beer tents and FDGD merchandise was for sale and being sold all over town. In 2008, Felkey announced his usual variety of events, including the volleyball games, held at the Nederhaus, and asked high school student Gus Forrest to be his assistant, doing some of the legwork and eventually some of the announcing. In 2009, Felkey’s work was limited to four events. It was the first of several unwelcome wind events. As the weather began to change, some of the outdoor events had to be postponed because of dangerous wind, blasting snow and runaway tents. While holding onto his hat, Felkey kept the crowd entertained with ceaseless stories of wind.

In 2007, the Nederland High School professional, a new style, new blood. I Skeleton Dancers warmed up the will be a consultant to that person, but I opening ceremony in the roundabout can’t be on the ground. I will love sitting while the mayor cut the ribbon and an on the porch and watching.” Felkey almost feels guilty that he ice sculpture provided the background. Local hearse and antique car clubs has always been there for the event, saying he didn’t brought dozens give anyone else of vintage and a chance. This remarkable vehicles year, he asks that that Felkey enjoyed MacDonald and introducing and her staff, “give me describing. a show.” Amanda MacIf at the coffin Donald is now the races, look-alike event’s director. contest or opening She’s made some ceremony the changes in recent microphone dies, years, but has left Dave Felkley displays a few of his many FDGD T-shirts. and behind the things much the same. This year, while the Blue Ball is howling wind, mingling with the sound taking place in Chipeta Park, Felkey will of bands, you hear a pleasant voice saying be long in bed. He explained his cancer it is a beautiful day, you’ll know Felkey and his meds are taking their toll and was unable to stay away. All he asks is that you have a great he is happy to sit back and watch the time at Nederland’s wonderful, weird festival for the first time since it began. “It is time to retire. I want to see winter event, and give him a thumbs up someone else do it,” he said. “Maybe a if you see him among the spectators.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

DRY ICE

Keeping Grandpa frozen

Today, dry ice is used mostly for dramatic effect, to simulate By Amber Erickson Gabbey big part of Frozen Dead Guy Days comes from the term fog in theatre productions or Halloween parties. But dry ice is “frozen.” We’re not just referring to a chilly winter really much more than decoration and effect. Being very cold day, we’re talking about the frozen body of Grandpa without mess or residue makes it ideal for preserving organs for transplants, keeping frozen goods cold en Bredo. To keep his body at -100 route to grocery stores and, as in Bredo’s degrees Fahrenheit takes some work, case, for human cryo-preservation. and a simple—yet profound—material Other uses include creating an ice plug known as dry ice. for plumbing repairs, cooling machinery, Dry ice is the solid form of carbon making ice cream, flash-freezing foods, dioxide, which is often found and seen removing warts, cleaning, removing in its gas form. Carbon dioxide is what asphalt floor tiles and baiting insects, like we exhale and what makes carbonation in bed bugs and mosquitoes, drawn to the sodas and other drinks. As a solid, dry ice carbon dioxide. Even though dry ice is is extremely cold; -109.3 F to be exact. non-toxic, it can be dangerous to handle. Dry ice was first discovered in the The extreme cold can cause frostbite and 1830s by a French chemist and was pieces of dry ice are dense and heavy. believed to be somewhat other-worldly. To keep Bredo’s body at a constant, All elements except carbon dioxide go low temperature, Bredo’s family enlists from frozen to liquid to gas. Dry ice is Brad Wickham delivers dry ice to Grandapa Bredo’s the help of a local caretaker. Once able to go straight from being a solid, or TUFF Shed every two weeks. frozen, to a gas, or vapor state, without passing through the every two weeks, Brad Wickham drives his truck to Boulder liquid stage. This means no moisture and no mess. Continued on page 32

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

DRY ICE

Keeping Grandpa frozen

Continued from page 31

to pick up 900-1200 pounds of dry ice, costing nearly $400. He then travels back up to Big Springs, unlocks the TUFF Shed, removes the lid from the crypt and goes to work. Some of the ice dissipates in a process called sublimation, over the two weeks, so Wickham’s job is to put on heavy-duty gloves, Inspecting the dry ice inside the TUFF Shed. reposition the remaining ice and load in the new stuff. and repositioning and replacing all this ice The dry ice comes in blocks, which are is hard work, says Brad, but somebody’s stacked and placed side-by-side to fill the got to do it. rectangular space in the crypt. The actual Wickham is the third ice delivery coffin containing Bredo’s body is hidden person hired by Bredo’s grandson Trygve underneath. Two weeks later, Wickham does Bauge. Grandpa Bredo’s first “Ice Man” the whole process again. was Bo Shaffer, who delivered the dry ice Even though dry ice is non-toxic, it can from 1995-2012. After a “labor dispute,” be dangerous to handle. The extreme cold delivery of the ice became the temporary could cause frostbite and the pieces of dry job of Jane Curtis Gazit and her partner ice are dense and heavy. Getting in there Michael Wooten.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Brad Wickham Brad Wickham recently retreated to Nederland to get away from the stress of his 20+ year career in healthcare. Now semi-retired, he makes some extra cash by taking care of the frozen dead guy. He’s the reason Bredo’s body stays frozen, but his job is more than just dry ice. He is paid by the family to serve as a local caretaker for the property, plowing the driveway and making sure the house and shed are left undisturbed. He also takes phone calls from reporters, answers questions from the general public and leads tours.

DENVER HEARSE ASSOCIATION

Hearse club keeps parade offbeat

By Jeﬀrey V. Smith ne of the characteristics people relish most about of Frozen Dead Guy Days is its irreverent and eclectic nature. While the idea of celebrating a dead Norwegian guy frozen by his unconventional grandson is curious enough, the oddity that has become the annual late-winter festival is enhanced by its more spirited participants. A most peculiar contributor, but one of the event’s more popular and anticipated, is the Denver Hearse Association and its collection of funky funerary transport. The Denver Hearse Association was started in 1996 by Jeff Brown and Zachary Byron Helm. Its members have participated in numerous Frozen Dead Guy Days parades over the years either as a group or individuals. The members and their hearses help create an appropriately macabre atmosphere while providing a great deal of color and curiosity. In the years where weather or other issues prevented the group’s participation, they were missed by many. “Frozen Dead Guy Days has always made a huge effort to

make us a part of their event and make us comfortable, Helm said. “Our year wouldn’t be complete without it and I have seen a huge push from the organizers recently to really bring it to a new level, which is nice. We always have a good time and the crowd here is one of the best.” Appearing on the Discovery Channel, a Canadian national television network and local news channels as well as in the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, the non-traditional car group has always been a curiosity thanks to its unique, dedicated members and their one-of-a-kind vehicles. “In car clubs there’s a very phallocentric vibe most of the time, especially in any club that values classic cars and doesn’t allow modifications,” Helm said. “We welcome everyone, we don’t care how extreme or how conservative you are.” This inclusiveness is actually what sets the group apart. Unlike many car clubs, they don’t care if a car is bone stock or radically modified. According to its membership rules, “whatever you do Continued on page 34

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

DENVER HEARSE Association

Continued from page 33

with your car is your own damned business, and we are not here to push our views on you one way or another.” Over the years the group’s membership was built from the ground up. They would track down other hearses based on reported sightings, word of mouth and general harassment of current hearse owners. “We’d have to leave notes on random hearses we found around town, we’d wrap them in zipperlock bags so the weather wouldn’t ruin them, I’m quite sure we came off as crazy people.,” Helm said. Membership in the Denver Hearse Association includes all different types of people. “People tend to think it’s only Goths or Halloween fans,” Helms said, “the fact is that because those people stand out more, it’s what you associate with hearse owners. For every person with [colored] hair, there are a dozen more who are just regular-looking Joes who enjoy it as well. Our members in general are people who either saw a movie, saw our group or a random hearse on the road and thought ‘Holy crap! I could drive one of those!’” Helms explains, however, it’s not an easy hobby. “If you only drive it once every few months it’s fine, but a good number of our members drive every day. It forces you to become a mechanic or pay someone else a lot of money to be one for you,” he said. “They’re great cars, but I do think that serious involvement becomes something of a lifestyle because a lot revolves around them. It’s a cool car when you come to an event like FDGD but it’s not as cool when it’s 1 a.m. and you’re fixing an alternator on the side of the highway.”

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Newly-Dead Game/Grandpa's in the Tuff Shed

D Gail Rubin Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death®, helps start funeral planning conversations with a light touch on a serious subject. She’s a Certified Thanatologist (death educator) and Celebrant who creates funerals and memorial services all about the person who died. She hosts the radio and TV shows “A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die,” and wrote the award-winning book of the same name. Find out more at www.AGood Goodbye.com.

o you know the story of how Grandpa Bredo Morstoel became the Frozen Dead Guy? More importantly, how well do you know your loved one’s last wishes? Come out of the cold for ongoing “viewings” of the 30-minute documentary, Grandpa’s in the TUFF Shed. This award-winning 1998 film by the Beeck sisters tells the true story behind how Nederland’s most famous resident came to “live” in a perpetual deep freeze. Continuous showings of Grandpa’s in the TUFF Shed will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the bar at the Black Forest Restaurant, 24 Big Springs Drive, just south of the Caribou Shopping Center. Funny film clips about cryogenics will be scattered throughout the day. While there, register to win goodies in a door prize drawing. Stick around for The Newly-Dead Game®, hosted by Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death®. The game debuted at the 2011 Frozen Dead Guy Days festival and has returned every year. Imagine “The Newlywed Game,” but the questions here focus on how well the individuals in a couple know each other’s last wishes. Three or four couples can play, writing down the answers to questions as they think their partner would respond. The couple with the highest-scoring number of right answers wins “valuable prizes” and all participating couples get a “parting gift.” Games are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. It’s free for couples to play! Sign up in advance by visiting Rubin at the Black Forest Restaurant. These events are sponsored by Compassion & Choices, the leading nonprofit organization committed to helping everyone have the best death possible, and CarrollLewellen Funeral and Cremation Services in Longmont. Compassion & Choices offers free counseling, planning resources, referrals, guidance and national advocacy for end-of-life choices. Find more information at www.CompassionAndChoices.org. Carroll-Lewellen Funeral and Cremation Services is a family-owned business with a friendly, down-to-earth team of funeral professionals. It’s Longmont’s only full-service funeral home and cemetery, serving all of Boulder County since 1922. Learn more at www.Carroll-Lewellen.com.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Monster Remote Control Demonstration

The Crawl Space Named the Gold Star retailer of Colorado and authorized service center by Axial Racing, The Crawl Space provides top quality customer service and parts support. Its service center is always open for all types of building and repair needs, including full-blown custom builds. The store is located at 6429 Miller St. Unit C in Arvada. Call 303-3965532 or 303-898-8439 or visit www.thecrawlspaceco.com for more information.

he Crawl Space in Arvada comes to Frozen Dead Guy Days to present an exciting demonstration of radio-controlled monster trucks in Chipeta Park on Sunday, March 9 from 11am-2pm. The store is Colorado’s only radio control crawler and scaler hobby shop. The unique store carries the largest assortment of crawler and scaler parts in the state. Their goal is to provide the best customer service, knowledge base and products to the RC Crawler and Scaler community of Colorado “in a comfortable and family friendly environment for everyone to enjoy this great hobby.” Dubbed the Gold Star retailer of Colorado and authorized service center by Axial Racing, The Crawl Space provides top notch customer service and a service center for all building and repair needs. The Crawl Space is also home to Colorado’s only indoor rock course. Estimated at 32 tons of various rock geared towards competition trucks and well-equipped scale rigs. The terrain is always changing and growing with the addition of new rock each month to provide new and challenging lines. Thinking about getting into the remote control hobby? The Crawl Space offers RC crawler truck rentals for $15 per driver for a one-hour session and choice of three different trucks. The one-hour session includes detailed instruction and one-on-one guidance from their team drivers. Participants learn how the trucks operate and the way to drive and negotiate the trucks around the course.

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014

Merchandise Shirts • Hats • Pint Glasses • More Find Frozen Dead Guy Days Merchandise during the festival at these locations: BrainFreezer Tent (E. First St.) SATURDAY & SUNDAY

ReAnimate Yourself Beer Tent in Chipeta Park FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Grandpa’s Gift Shop at Dandelion Gifts - 4 East First St. FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY, BEFORE & AFTER FESTIVAL

Grandpa’s Gift Shop at Visitor Center - 2 West First St. FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Order at the FDGD Kiosk at Dandelion Gifts and have merchandise shipped!

Men’s, Women’s and Children’s sizes and styles are available

Frozen Dead Guy Days Merchandise is also available online at www.frozendeadguydays.org/store

Frozen Dead Guy Days 2014