We Dig 'Dem Bones & Beads!

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo., Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This year Snowmass is celebrating 29 years of Mardi Gras revelry with its Fat Tuesday celebration, one of the biggest festivals of the season and one of the oldest Mardi Gras parties in the mountains. This year's theme We Dig 'Dem Bones & Beads, is appropriate with the recent Ice Age Discovery in Snowmass.  The event includes free traditional Mardi Gras elements such as a madcap costumed parade, a massive bead throw where nearly 30,000 beads are thrown into the enthusiastic crowds, crawdad boils, Hurricane drink specials, and celebrations that go late into the night. All events are free.  Afterwards, the celebrations continue in the evening at dozens of local hotspots in the Base Village and the Mall.

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Tuesday's festivities kick off bright and early at 7:00 a.m. with the Mother of All Ascensions Race, a popular uphill costumed snowshoe race of 1,741 vertical feet starting on Fanny Hill. Racers can participate in snowshoes, track skis, hiking boots or running shoes. Costumes are highly encouraged and prizes awarded for best costumes. All registrants receive a stuffed Goodie Bag and the chance to win some heavenly prizes from participating sponsors and local merchants. Prizes are also awarded to age category winners. Participants can pre-register at Base Camp Bar & Grill in Snowmass Village, the Ute Mountaineer in Aspen, Bristlecone Mountain Sports in Basalt, Independence Run and Hike in Carbondale and Summit Canyon Mountaineering in Glenwood Springs.  Event check-in and race day registration begins at 5:45 a.m. at Base Camp Bar & Grill. For more information on the race or for volunteer opportunities: email [email protected] or call 250.266.0022.  Race registration fee is $25 or day of for $35.

The official Mardi Gras Celebration begins with masquerade mask making at 2 p.m., with a free kids' carnival including clowns and face painters. The annual massive bead throw starts at 3 p.m., with the tossing of nearly 30,000 beads and prizes into the crowds. There is a free photo opportunity at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. with the MLS Cup won by Colorado Rapids Pro Soccer Team at Venga Venga and Base Camp Bar & Grill.  The wildest, wackiest parade in the mountains follows at 4 p.m., packing the Mall with wall-to-wall revelers, floats, kings and queens, along with mountain jesters strutting their royal Mardi Gras style.

This year's Mardi Gras King and Queen has been rightly bestowed on long-time Snowmass Village locals, Greg Rulon, a broker for Joshua & Co. and Carol Dresser, Vice President for Alpine Bank.  Carol, who is married to John Dresser, Town Attorney for Snowmass Village, moved with John to Snowmass from Fort Wayne, Indiana on Super Bowl Sunday in 1990 with one car, two cats and three pieces of furniture. Carol and John have three children Jack, 14, Ally, 15 and Sam, 11.  Carol fondly remembers her son Jack participating in the Mardi Gras parade with the Little Red School House several years ago and is thrilled to participate in the celebration as "Her Highness."  Carol serves on the Scholarship Committee for Trashmaster's International and as Chair of the Aspen Country Day School Teachers' Holiday Fund.

His Majesty Greg Rulon moved to Aspen from St. Louis in 1972 with some college buddies, but has been in Snowmass since 1974.  He was initially hired as a deputy sheriff, promoted to detective and then worked in the County Juvenile Office.  He became a realtor for Coates & Company in 1976 and has worked for Joshua & Company for two years.  Greg's wife Patti also works in Snowmass for Collections, a clothing store located in the Snowmass Mall.

King Greg and Queen Carol will lead the Mardi Gras Parade down Snowmass Mall.  All businesses, families, visitors, locals and organizations are encouraged to get their message out to crowds as large as 3,000 by entering a float in the parade. Snowmass offers cash prizes for Best Float ($400), Best Use of Theme, We Dig 'Dem Bones and Beads ($200) and Best Costume ($150).  The float entry is free and Snowmass Tourism provides $100 reimbursement towards float expenses as well (receipts required). To register for the costume contest or to participate in the parade, contact Jacqie Stewart, at [email protected].  

SOURCE Snowmass