Ye Olde Snowdown at a glance
Your guide to doing Snowdown in style

Durangoans again gather to celebrate winter this week with the 30th annual edition of Snowdown. The holy grail-powered theme of this year’s celebration is “Ye Olde 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 run through Sun., Feb. 3.

A listing of events follows:

All Week

The Snowdown Snow Sculpture contest is a new event this year. Make a theme-related snow sculpture anywhere around town, take a photo, and submit it to Access Durango.com by Saturday, Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. Internet voting for the winners will close at midnight on Feb. 3. 259-9915 for details.

Thursday31

Ye Olde Coat of Arms/Family Crest Tournament, judging from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. at Pine River Valley Bank. Awards at 4 p.m. 884-9583 for details.

Quest for Wings, 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. 1. 247-2446 or 247-3986 for details.

King Arthur’s Artful Food contest lets kids 18 and under design medieval art with their food, starting at 4:30 p.m. at Healthy Fusion, 2053 Main Ave. 259-9233 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.

Snowdown Spellebration, a new event hosted by the Adult Education Center of Durango, takes place at the Abbey Theater from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 385-4354 for details.

Magical Musical Mystery Tour final takes place at Lost Dog Bar & Lounge, 1150 Main Ave., beginning at 6 p.m. 259-3693 or 259-6004 for details.

The Peace Jam Dodgeball tournament, a new event, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 2750 Main Ave. Team entries of at least six adults, with at least two women, will be taken up until 15 minutes before the event. 563-4127 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 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 for details.

The second 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 Lords, Knights and Ladies Drag Showdown at the Spaaah Shop, 988 Main Ave. kicks off at 7 p.m. Sign up by noon at the Spaaah Shop.

The Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave.,

hosts the beard growing contest, “Knight’s Templar Challenges You to a Hairy Face” at 7:30 p.m. The contest began on Nov. 1. 259-2545 for details.

The Henry Strater Theatre (formerly Diamond Circle), 699 Main Ave., hosts the sold-out Gala Premiere Performance of the raucous Snowdown Follies at 8 p.m.

The Lords and Ladies Costume Ball takes place at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., and will feature minstrels, merrymaking and a costume contest. 259-0430 for details.

Friday1

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. 259-1376 for details.

A Milk Carton Castle Building Contest takes place at 3 p.m. at Vectra Bank, 1101 E. Second Ave. Kids 6 and under and 7-12 years old can participate. 375-7421 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. 749-1752 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. 247-5533 for details.

The Bank of the San Juans, 144 E. 8^th St., offers its Pre-Parade Party and Costume Contest from 4:30-6 p.m. 426-7113 or 799-1467 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 30th 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.

An Arm Wrestling Tournament begins at 7 p.m. at the Ball Park, 351 S. Camino del Rio.

The Snowdown Follies shows at 7:30 p.m. at the Henry Strater Theater and Durango Arts Center Theater at 7:30 p.m. and again at 10 p.m. 247-8163 for details. The Follies will also be simulcast at the Abbey Theatre at the same times. 385-1711 for details.

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

The Jester Costume Contest takes place at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., at 9 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

Saturday2

The Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension takes place at 8 a.m. at Red Rock Ranch, 8 miles north of Durango. 375-4629 or 259-7821 for details. Spectators can also purchase two for one tickets for the Snowdown Balloon Rally Train to see the event from the D&SNGRR. 385-8801 or 259-0274 for details.

The Snowdown Broomball Tournament runs at Chapman Hill Ice Rink beginning at 8:30 a.m. This is a single-elimination tournament with men’s and women’s divisions. Awards at 5 p.m. at Cuckoo’s, 128 E. College Dr. 375-7395.

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.375-7306.

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. 749-0644 for details.

The Mountain Bike Snow Slalom takes place 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. 749-1816 for details.

The “Enchanted Trail” Bike Race, a new event, challenges knights and maidens to an obstacle course starting at 11 a.m. in the parking lot south of Nature’s Oasis. 749-2048 for details.

Orio’s Roadhouse, 652 Main Ave., hosts a Junior Madden Superbowl tournament at noon for players 8-18 years old. 759-8590 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 for details.

The Outlaw Josie Pete’s Golf Tournament begins at noon in the Main Mall Commons. Contestants putt 18 holes in costume through various local drinking establishments. Awards at 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd Ave. 259-4900 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 Durango Cat-A-Pult Contest, a new event, will commence at 2 p.m. at Buckley Park, 12^th St. and Main Ave. 759-9933 for details.

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

Children 10 and under can “Fight-A-Knight” at the SCA Tourney Demo at the La Plata Country Fairgrounds at 2 p.m. 946-2715 for details.

The Belt Sander Drag Races commence at 2 p.m. at Kroeger’s Ace Hardware in the Town Plaza. 759-5480 for details.

The 8^th 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 Fireworks Show starts at 6 p.m.

The Durango Figure Skating Club sponsors a Figure Skating Exhibition at Chapman Hill Ice Rink, 500 Florida Road, at 6 p.m. 884-0164 for details.

A Dart Tournament at The Ball Park, 351 S. Camino del Rio, begins at 7 p.m. Singles or partners over 21. 385-5533 for details.

A Contra Dance takes place at the VFW, 1550 Main Ave., with beginner instruction at 7 p.m. and dancing to live music from 7: 30-10:30 p.m. 259-5445 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.

The Snowdown Follies shows at 7:30 p.m. at the Henry Strater Theater and Durango Arts Center Theater at 7:30 p.m., and again at 10 p.m. 247-8163 for details. The Follies will also be simulcast at the Abbey Theatre at the same times. 385-1711 for details.

The Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave., hosts the 1^st annual Snowdown High Five Contest at 8 p.m.

Sunday3

La Plata County Search & Rescue hosts the benefit Snowdown Pancake Breakfast & Backcountry Gear Silent Auction starting at 7 a.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. 946-4437 for details.

A kayak Pool Slalom race runs from 8-11 a.m. at the Durango Rec. Center. All types of floating craft 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 Santa Rita Park in the parking lot near the Visitor’s Center at 11 a.m.

Colorado Timberline Academy hosts the Ullr Ski Obstacle Race at 12:30 p.m. Teams will don 10-foot 2x4’s and race through various obstacles. 259-9673 for details.