Snowdown at a glance

Durangoans again gather to celebrate winter this week with the 29th annual edition of Snowdown. The scurvy-powered theme of this year’s celebration is “A Jolly Roger Snowdown,” and all the favorite events will be back on tap, joined by a handful of new ones. More than 60 contests, events and gatherings take place starting Wed., Jan. 31, and running through Sun., Feb. 4.

A listing of events follows:

Thursday1

Wing Fever, a chicken wing-eating contest, takes place at Cuckoo’s Chicken House and Waterin’ Hole, 128 E. College, at 4 p.m. 259-6322 for details.

The Snowdown Junior King & Queen will be selected at 4:30 p.m. at the Best Western Rio Grande Inn, 400 E. Second Ave. Winners will ride in the Snowdown Light Parade on Fri., Feb. 2. 247-2446 for details.

Magical Musical Mystery Tour music jeopardy takes place at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., beginning at 5 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The Snowdown Benefactor Wine Tasting & Art Exhibition commences at 5:30 p.m. at the Bank of Colorado, 1199 Main Ave. Proceeds benefit the La Plata Open Space Conservancy. 259-3415 for details.

The Pirate Triathlon, a pool tournament, walk-the-plank challenge and peg leg race combo, takes place at 7 p.m. at the Ball Park Sports Bar, 351 S. Camino del Rio. 385-5533 for details.

The Snowdown Kid’s Follies takes the stage at the Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., at 7 p.m. 259-2606.

The Buccaneers’ Drag Showdown, a cross-dressing fashion show, takes place at 7 p.m. at the Spaaah Shop, 988 Main Ave. 769-0951 for details.

The Snowdown 9-Ball Pool Tournament begins at 7 p.m. at El Rancho, 975 Main Ave. The event is open to the first 32 entrants 21 years of age or older. 259-3562.

The second round elimination of Lady F’s Lunacy trivia tournament begins at 7 p.m. at Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave. 382-9664 for details.

The Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave., hosts the beard growing contest, “What ARRR You Growing?,” at 7:30 p.m. The contest began Nov. 1. 259-2545 for details.

The Diamond Circle Theatre, 699 Main Ave., hosts the sold-out performance of the raucous Snowdown Follies at 8 p.m.

The Pirates and Wenches Ball, a new event, meets at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., and includes live music and a costume contest. 259-0430 for details.

Friday2

All Day Snowdown T-Shirt Day

The Snowdown Waiter/Waitress Race takes place at 2 p.m. in the alley behind Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave. Servers compete in an obstacle course for the coveted “Silver Serving Tray.” 259-9200 for details.

The Snowdown Bed Race begins at 3 p.m. in the alley behind Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave. The annual lodging community challenge is a race where beds are pushed through an obstacle course. 259-1577 for details.

A children’s Milk Carton Pirate Ship Contest, a new event, takes place at 3 p.m. at Vectra Bank, 1101 E. Second Ave. Kids up to12 years old can participate. 375-7423 for details.

The Elk’s Club, 901 E. Second Ave., hosts a spaghetti dinner benefiting the Purgatory ski team. The feast begins at 4:30 p.m. and continues until 8:30 p.m. 247-8316 for details.

The Snowdown Wine and Winter Tasting takes place at

the Main Mall, 9835 Main Ave., from 4-6 p.m. Attendants receive a souvenir glass. 385-4723 for details.

The Bank of the San Juans, 144 E. 8th St., offers its Pre-Parade Party from 4:30-6 p.m. and unveils the “pieces of eight” and vintage maps it will auction off for charity. 247-1818 for details.

The single, luminous Snowdown Firework signals the start of the Snowdown Light Parade at 6 p.m. The Light Parade begins at 500 Main Ave. and works its way to 12th Street. Floats and groups will have a special emphasis on the use of lights. Back by popular demand, there will be a special appearance by the Hill Stompers Marching Band of Northern New Mexico.

The 29th annual Ski Softball game between Durango Mountain Ski Patrol and the Ski/Snowboard School takes place at the FLC Softball Complex at 7 p.m. 247-5893 for details.

The Westside Tavern, 117 W. College, hosts a 7 p.m. Dart Tournament. 247-9151.

The third elimination round of Lady F’s Lunacy trivia tournament begins at 7 p.m. at Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave. 382-9664 for details.

The Magical Musical Mystery Tour musical jeopardy continues at 7:30 p.m. at Scoot • Blues, 900 Main Ave.

The Snowdown Light Parade Awards Ceremony takes place at 8 p.m. at the Durango Arts Center, 802, E. Second Ave.

The Buccaneers’ Ball, including dance and costume contests, takes place at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., at 9 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

Saturday3

The Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension takes place at 7:45 a.m. at Red Rock Ranch, 8 miles north of Durango.

The Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension takes place at 7:45 a.m. at Red Rock Ranch, 8 miles north of Durango.

The Snowdown Shootout 3 on 3 basketball tournament starts at 9 a.m. at the Durango Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave. The tournament is for 3rd-12th grades.375-7313.

The Snowdown Snowgames take place from 10 a.m.-noon at Chapman Hill. The event includes tube races, tug-o-war, treasure hunt, egg throw, obstacle course, popcorn stuffing and more. 247-2446 for details.

The Snowdown Hash House Run starts at 10 a.m. at a secret start location. One harrier lays a trail of flour over a course of his or her choosing. The other harriers follow that trail to the end where food and beverages await. 375-2413 for details.

The Mountain Bike Snow Slalom takes place at the Snowcoaster Hill at Durango Mountain Resort at 10:30 a.m. 259-8233 for details.

El Rancho Tavern, 975 Main Ave., hosts an 8-Ball Pool Tournament, a double elimination event, at 11 a.m. 259-8111 for details.

The Snowdown Chili Cook-Off tasting begins at noon at the La Plata County Fairgrounds with proceeds supporting Snowdown. Judging begins at 11 a.m. 375-2513.

Snowdown Tubercross takes place at noon at the Hesperus Ski Area. The inner tube Chinese Downhill includes obstacles and head-to-head racing. 946-8106 for details.

The Buccaneer Josie Pete’s Golf Tournament begins at

noon in the Main Mall Commons. Contestants putt 12 holes in costume through various local drinking establishments. 382-7400 to register.

The Feline Fashion Show takes place at 1 p.m. in the McDonald’s parking lot. Grab your cat or snatch your neighbor’s and dress ’em up for this all-comers fashion show. 247-2446 for details.

The Snowdown Grocery Games runs at 1 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall and feature events like Oreo Stacking and Spam Carving. 247-4475.

A Jolly Roger Treasure Hunt for Kids starts in the DoubleTree Parking lot at 1 p.m. The event teams one adult and one child to hunt for buried treasure. (603) 494-8029 for details.

A Rugby Exhibition Match with the Durango Rhinos Rugby Team takes place at 1 p.m. at the Riverview Sports Complex. 375-6449 for details.

The Snowdown Broomball Tournament runs at Chapman Hill Ice Rink beginning at 2 p.m. This is a single-elimination tournament with men’s and women’s divisions. 375-7395 for details.

The Canine Fashion Show takes place at 2 p.m. in the McDonald’s parking lot. Dress your dog in its favorite pirat attire or funniest costume. 247-2446 for details.

The 7th annual Outhouse Stuffing takes place at Gazpacho, 431 E. Second Ave., at 3 p.m. Teams compete by stuffing as many people as possible into a Porta-Pottie in two minutes. 247-3334 for details.

The Snowdown Balloon Glow takes place at 5:30 p.m. on the Fort Lewis College Rim. Hot air balloons will fill the evening darkness with the warmth of winter. In conjunction with the event, the skies above Durango will be filled with a fireworks display.

The Westside Tavern, 117 W. College, presents Snowdown Arm Wrestling at 6 p.m. Men and women compete for strong arm respect. 247-9151 for details.

The Magical Musical Mystery Tour continues at 7 p.m. at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave.

A special Contra Dance, the Jolly Roger Snowdown Hoedown, takes place at the VFW, 1550 Main Ave., with beginner instruction at 7 p.m. and dancing from 7:30-10:30 p.m. 259-6820 for details.

Lady F’s Lunacy continues with the final round at 7 p.m. at Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave. 382-9664 for details.

Sunday4

La Plata County Search & Rescue hosts the benefit Snowdown Pancake Breakfast & Backcountry Gear Silent Auction from 7 a.m.-noon at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Hall.

A Kayak Pool Slalom Race runs from 8-11 a.m. at the Durango Rec. Center. Playboaters and slalom racers are welcome. 259-1361 for details.

Day two of the Snowdown Balloon Rally takes place at 8 a.m. at Red Rock Ranch, 8 miles north of Durango.

3-on-3 Basketball continues at the Durango Recreation Center at 9 a.m.

A second Hash House Harriers Run starts at a secret location at 10 a.m.

A Downhill Kayak Race takes place at the Durango Mountain Resort tubing hill. The event is a duel format with the winner advancing. 749-8233 for details.

Colorado Pongas, 121 W. 8th St., hosts the Snowdown 3 Ball Tournament, a new event. 382-8554 for details.

Colorado Timberline Academy hosts the Ullr Ski Obstacle Race at 12:30 p.m. Teams will don 10-foot 2-by-4s and race through various obstacles. 259-9673 for details.

For more information on the 29th annual celebration of Snowdown, visit www.snowdown.org.