Snowdown in Da Nile at a glance

Durangoans again gather to celebrate winter this week with the 31st annual edition of Snowdown. The pyramid-powered theme of this year’s celebration is “Snowdown in Da Nile,” and all the favorite events will be back on tap, joined by a handful of new ones.

Thursday29

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.

The Snowdown Junior Pharoah and 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.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., presents the PS3 Rock Band Video Game Contest at 5 p.m. 259-9018 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 La Plata Open Space Conservancy. 259-3415.

Kayak Pool Slalom takes off at the Durango Recreation Center at 6 p.m.

El Rancho, 975 Main Ave., hosts the Snowdown 9-Ball Pool Tournament at 6 p.m. 903-1273.

Colorado Pongas, 121 W. 8^th St., hosts a 6 p.m. Beer Pong Tournament. 769-7955.

The Boys and Girls Club, 2750 Main Ave., hosts a Peacejam Dodgeball Tournament at 6:30 p.m. 563-4517. ext. 208.

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

The Pharoahs with a Flair Dragshow, a cross-dressing fashion show, takes place at 7 p.m. at the Spaaah Shop, 988 Main Ave. 769-0951 for details.

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

The Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave., hosts the Beard Growing Contest at 7:30 p.m. The contest began on Nov. 1.

The Pharoah’s Costume Dance & Ball meets at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave. 259-0430 for details.

Friday30

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.”

The Snowdown Bed Race begins at 3 p.m. in the alley behind

Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave. 749-3577 for details.

The Elk’s Lodge, 901 E. Second Ave., hosts a spaghetti dinner benefiting the Durango Winter Sports Foundation. The feast begins at 4:30 p.m. and continues until 8:30 p.m. 749-1752 for details.

The Snowdown Wine and Winter Taste of Durango takes place at the Main Mall, 9835 Main Ave., from 4-6 p.m. Attendants receive a souvenir glass. 799-2853.

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.

The 31st 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.

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

Legends Lounge & Grille, 351 S. Camino del Rio, presents Karaoke Night at 8 p.m. 259-3366.

Saturday31

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

The Snowdown Broomball Tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Chapman Hill Rink. 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 for details.

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

The Snowdown Hash House Run starts at 10:30 a.m. at a secret start location. Food and beverages wait at the finish. 749-0644.

The Mountain Bike Snow Slalom takes place at the Snowcoaster Hill at Durango Mountain Resort at 10:30 a.m. 749-8233.

El Rancho Tavern, 975 Main Ave., hosts an 8-Ball Pool Tournament, a double elimination event, at 11 a.m. The El Rancho Foosball Tournament begins at noon. 749-1816.

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 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 Durango Public Library, 1900 E. Third Ave., hosts Stack Like an Egyptian, a sport stacking competition, at 1 p.m. 375-3387.

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

Olde Tymer’s presents the Durango Cat-A-Pult at 2 p.m. at Buckley Park. 759-9933 for details.

Kroeger’s, 8 Town Plaza, hosts the Belt Sander Drag Races at 2 p.m. 759-5480 for details.

The 9^th annual Outhouse Stuffing takes place at Gazpacho, 431 E. Second Ave., at 3 p.m. 247-3334 for details.

Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St., hosts the Osiris Homebrew Competition/Beer, Wine and Cheese Pairing at 4 p.m. 764-7128.

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., presents Snowdown Arm Wrestling at 5 p.m. Men and women compete for strong arm respect. 247-9151 for details.

Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., presents the Pharoahs of Air Guitar contest at 5 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

The Snowdown Fireworks Show begins at 6 p.m. in the skies above Durango.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., hosts a Best Tattoo Contest at 6 p.m. 749-7231 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 Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave., hosts its High Five Contest at 8 p.m. 259-2545 for details.

Sunday1

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

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

El Rancho hosts a second 9-Ball Pool Tournament.

A second Hash House Harriers Run starts at a secret location at 11 a.m.

Snowdown 2009 draws to a close with a Poker Tournament at Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave., at noon. 749-7231.

For more information, visit www.snowdown.org.