It's cold outside. However, hope is on the horizon as today’s sunrise came earlier than last month's. The earlier the sunrise, the sooner spring will be here. Being reminded of spring in Colorado triggers thoughts of the warm-weather activities Colorado has to offer. Planning out the year of outings seems like a good thing to do today, or tonight. What could be better than starting off with a video that shows, “O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above the enameled plain!” The lyrics of “America the Beautiful,” were written in Colorado, inspired by Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs in 1895.
Denver’s Winter Festival, “Art of Winter” will have Karsh Hagan of the Colorado Tourism and cinematographer Anson Fogel to discuss the “Come to Life” campaign.
This campaign is best wrapped up as the Denver Post wrote, “Research found that the Colorado Tourism Office’s $4.5 million “Come to Life” television and print ad campaign, which ran in target markets in April, May and August, stirred $898 million in spending in the state. That doubles the return on investment from previous ad campaigns.”
“Colorado is not just a state. It's a symbol of what it means to get off your couch. To live your life. To believe that happiness is out there, waiting for you to find it. We set out to tell that story with a team of writers, designers, photographers, filmmakers, musicians, composers, actors and recording artists. The campaign included an original score recorded by the Colorado Symphony. And footage and photos shot everywhere from Telluride to Fort Collins. We didn't just tell Colorado's story. We'd written a new one, as hundreds of locals came together to help us tell the whole nation how it feels to visit our home state.” –Colorado “Come to Life.” Those numbers are inspiring and the state has proven Colorado has the potential to boost the economy in tourist dollars.
Here is a list of unusual and wacky activities to do in Colorado during 2014
Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival, Leadville (February 28-March 2, 2014) - Ski joring is a timed competition where a skier is pulled down a snowy road by a horse and rider. The racecourse features gates, jumps and rings. Penalties are assessed by missing gates or jumps, and by missing or dropping any of the rings. A children’s parade, Nordic and winter mountain bike races are just some of the activities happening during the event.
Frozen Dead Guy Days, Nederland (March 7-9, 2014) – October isn’t the only time of year to get spooky when March offers theFrozen Dead Guy Days. This festival celebrates Grandpa Bredo, a man who in 1989 was frozen after he died in Norway and ended up in the hills above Nederland where his daughter was located. He has remained there ever since and has become an international legend. Hearse parade floats, coffin race teams and costume polar plunging make this a not to be missed wacky event.
Flauschink, Crested Butte (April 2-6, 2014) – End the ski season and welcome spring on April 2-6 at the 46th Annual Flauschink. A historical slide show, coronation ball, polka dancing and a ski-slope salute to the king and queen (longtime residents loved by the locals) of Flauschink are all part of this wacky event. Meet previous Flauschink royalty or see the past and present royalty during the Flauschink parade!
Tulip Fairy & Elf Parade, Boulder (April 27, 2014) – Bring your kids, dress up and get ready to use your imagination at the Tulip Fairy & Elf Parade on April 27. Dress the little girls up like fairies or the little boys up as elves to watch the other stars of the event become tulips blooming along Pearl Street.
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Fruita (May 16-17, 2014) – In honor of the brave, young rooster who survived his destiny of becoming dinner, the town of Fruita will host the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival May 16-17. To celebrate Mike, there will be a Chicken Dance Contest, a Car Show, a “Run Like a Headless Chicken” 5k and more.
Oh Heck Yeah, Denver (June 7-July 26, 2014) – The brand new Oh Heck Yeah event will transform Champa Street, from 16th Street Mall to 14th Street, every Thursday and Saturday, from June 7 through July 26 into an arcade. LED screens and projections will be used throughout the Theater District for vintage, interactive games to play with those passing by.
Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour, Keystone (June 21-22, 2014) – For those who can’t get enough bacon, Keystone is the place to be June 21-22 for the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour. Sample the best of Iowa and Colorado bacon, and find out everything there is to know about bacon education in order to receive an All About Bacon Diploma. This year, the festival has added Colorado’s Biggest Bacon Bloody Mary Bar.
Cruise-a-Thong, Pagosa Springs (July 12-13, 2014) – For those who wouldn’t consider themselves a hardcore athlete but still love to compete, the Cruise-a-Thong takes place in Pagosa Springs. The event starts out on July 12 in Town Park with the Average Joe Race. The triathlon race starts out on cruiser bikes, then continues on foot over the Pagosa Springs River Walk, while wearing thongs (flip-flops), and ends with tubing down the San Juan River. Continue the event on the 13th with the “Hair of the Dog” disc-golf tournament.
Tour de Fat, Fort Collins (August 30, 2014) - Colorado’s own New Belgium Brewery brings their annual Tour de Fat festival to their hometown of Fort Collins on August 30. To properly kick-start the festival, Tour de Fat begins with a giant bicycle parade where bike decorations and costumes are encouraged. For the rest of the afternoon, stages heat up with world-class acts and bikes, music, dancing and a lot of good beer can be enjoyed by all.
Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Manitou Springs (October 25, 2014) - Legend has it that 19th-century local Emma Crawford was buried on Red Mountain. But when her coffin was found after a storm sent her remains racing down the mountain in 1929, there was no body to be found, causing many to believe she still haunts the mountain. The legend continues on October 25 when 50 different teams compete in the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs. Costumed pallbearers push creatively decorated coffins on wheels through the streets for the race.
ABOUT COLORADO Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, and 25 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state's breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 11 national parks and monuments, and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet.
