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Eccentric garb abounds at costume contest

The Palace Restaurant hosted a costume contest Wednesday afternoon that yielded about 75 steampunkers who were hoping to win best costume. The event was one of the first to kickoff the 2015 Steampunk Snowdown.

Throughout the two-hour event participants were imbibing, laughing and comparing outfits.

A man wearing goggles made from metal springs was seen vigorously gyrating and pulling a prop out of his undergarment as another woman recorded the risqué dance. She planned to post it on Facebook.

Prior to announcing the winner, judges asked the top contenders to walk to the middle of the floor to display their costume one last time. Many strut, twirled and even attempted to “twerk.”

The first-place winners were the “Aviator Sisters,” who received a $100 gift card to the Palace.

The winning duo was comprised of Ammon Swofford, aka “Alice Glamoure,” and James Chestnut, aka “Spooky Deelite,” who traveled from Denver to attend.

“It was so fun and so cool to come back to this festival,” Swofford said.

Roxane Covert and Sailer Murga took second place, winning a $75 gift card. A duo called “The Silver Statues,” took third, winning a $50 gift card.

Participant Jonell Jones, aka “Josephine Steamington III,” said she had been planning her Snowdown costume for about a year. She obtained most of her costume from area thrift stores and garage sales. Her gold-and-black bodice, however, was purchased online.

Jones, of Durango, also adorned a circular gold pendant that she converted into an eye-patch.

Andy Robinson, who was one of three judges, said the other two judges were incognito and were roaming about.

The event consumed a full two hours, the better to ensure participants had ample time to display their costumes, he said.

The wait also was part of the fun.

“We are partying. We are having a good time,” Robinson said.

vguthrie@durangoherald.com

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