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Something for everyone during Snowdown

New activities added to 2015 schedule
The Snowdown event schedule is available at various locations around town and at www.snowdown.org.

In a land where cogs, gears, goggles and inventions abound – also known as Steampunk Snowdown – adventures await for those who dare.

Many old favorites are back, although some are taking place at new times or in new locations. For those looking for a Snowdown change, 10 events or so are new.

The Steampunk theme is a nod to Durango’s heritage, as it takes a look at what Victorian-era authors such as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells thought the future might look like. There are many ways to approach the theme, giving revelers options ranging from Wild West and African safari to futuristic air travel and deep-sea exploration á la Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Among the new events on offer are:

Sbeadpunk Race against Time at Beads & Beyond: Teams of two will see who can string the longest string of beads. Ah, but there’s a catch, as Snowdown events are wont to include – teams will have to string their beads while hampered by steampunk props such as goggles and handcuffs.

Steampunk-style contests will take place in conjunction with other events and on their own. Young people, in sixth to 12th grade, will show off their steampunk stylin’ at the Get Punked Up Costume Contest, while the Ultra Sexy Steam Swimdown featuring the steampunkiest swimsuits is sure to be racy.

The Abney Park and Carute Roma Steampunk Masquerade will perhaps be the truest to the steampunk zeitgeist. Organizers are flying in Abney Park, which they say is the leading steampunk band in the nation.

And while it isn’t steampunk in nature per se, the Phat Phat Phat Burger Eat Off is sure to be memorable. Contestants have up to 30 minutes to eat a 6-pound burger piled high with house-smoked pulled pork, bacon and cheddar cheese, along with the fries, of course. Fastest time – if the chowdown doesn’t kill them first – is a trip to Mexico.

Perhaps the cutest Snowdown event in town will be Durango Public Library’s Snowdown Preschool Dance Party, where toddlers, preschoolers and families can get their steampunk on to kid-friendly music and maybe even a disco ball.

Many events benefit local nonprofits, including Durango Education Center, Alternative Horizons, the Mercy Health Foundation, the Elk’s Building Restoration Fund and the La Plata County Open Space Conservancy.

Organizers work year-round to put on this massive event, which has been called one of the top winter festivals in the state.

Visit www.snowdown.org to see the full schedule. Schedule updates, such as the cancelation of the Darts Contest, are posted on the Snowdown Durango Facebook page.

May the steampunk be with you!

abutler@durangoherald.com

Jan 6, 2015
Steampunk Snowdown rapidly is approaching
Sep 5, 2014
It’s Steampunk ahead!
Mar 21, 2014
Discovering steampunk style


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