This past week Breckenridge hosted the annual
Ullr Festival to honor Ullr (
Ooo-ler), the Norse God of Snow. It is a weeklong celebration to repay the winter god who blesses the town with his gift of snow every year. The festivities, a tradition since the 1960's, include ice-skating party, bonfire, dating game, crowning of the Ullr king and queen, Ullympics, chili cookoff, and the infamous Ullr Parade on Main Street complete with floats. The kick-off party was held at the Gold Run Nordic Center which was conveniently located across the street from our house. So naturally we cross country skiied down the road to attend the Ullr Fest for free food and hot chocolate. Last year and every year before that they served free booze but this year it was a cash bar which explains the lower-than-usual turnout. There was a singing performance by an all-boy a-capella group from NYC and then the crowning of the Ullr King and Queen (which reminded me of a middle-age homecoming court but instead of tiaras, they were crowned with big tacky bejeweled helmets with horns.) The night ended with a bonfire outside where everyone circled around freezing their little asses off singing "Kumbaya." Ok kidding about the "Kumbaya" but they might as well. The event is actually lamer than it sounds but how often do you get to ski straight from your house to a party?
The Ullr Parade, however, was as rowdy and fun as any parade can be. Reminiscent of Mardi Gras, women were lifting up their shirts for beads while speedo-clad men were streaking in negative-degree weather to pass out condoms and candy. Main Street was closed off for the entire afternoon for crazy and creative floats to cruise by with screaming spectators cheering on. Then the entire town went bar hopping for the rest of the night. We ended up at the Gold Pan as well as the Motherloaded (pictured here) with Justin's Pittsburgh friends who were in town for a bachelor party. I guess if you can't have strippers at your bachelor party (there are no strip clubs in Breck), the Ullr Parade is a close second!
This past week Breckenridge hosted the annual Ullr Festival to honor Ullr (Ooo-ler), the Norse God of Snow. It is a weeklong celebration to repay the winter god who blesses the town with his gift of snow every year. The festivities, a tradition since the 1960's, include ice-skating party, bonfire, dating game, crowning of the Ullr king and queen, Ullympics, chili cookoff, and the infamous Ullr Parade on Main Street complete with floats. The kick-off party was held at the Gold Run Nordic Center which was conveniently located across the street from our house. So naturally we cross country skiied down the road to attend the Ullr Fest for free food and hot chocolate. Last year and every year before that they served free booze but this year it was a cash bar which explains the lower-than-usual turnout. There was a singing performance by an all-boy a-capella group from NYC and then the crowning of the Ullr King and Queen (which reminded me of a middle-age homecoming court but instead of tiaras, they were crowned with big tacky bejeweled helmets with horns.) The night ended with a bonfire outside where everyone circled around freezing their little asses off singing "Kumbaya." Ok kidding about the "Kumbaya" but they might as well. The event is actually lamer than it sounds but how often do you get to ski straight from your house to a party?
The Ullr Parade, however, was as rowdy and fun as any parade can be. Reminiscent of Mardi Gras, women were lifting up their shirts for beads while speedo-clad men were streaking in negative-degree weather to pass out condoms and candy. Main Street was closed off for the entire afternoon for crazy and creative floats to cruise by with screaming spectators cheering on. Then the entire town went bar hopping for the rest of the night. We ended up at the Gold Pan as well as the Motherloaded (pictured here) with Justin's Pittsburgh friends who were in town for a bachelor party. I guess if you can't have strippers at your bachelor party (there are no strip clubs in Breck), the Ullr Parade is a close second!
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