There is a real “frozen dead guy” up in Nederland, long-deceased Bredo Morstal whose daughter, Aud Morstoel, and grandson, Trygve Bauge, kept his body preserved in dry ice in a Tuff Shed. Mix the bizarre tale and quirky Coloradans and you have Frozen Dead Guy Days, a winter festival paying tribute to Grandpa Bredo.
The chilly celebration grew into one of Colorado’s most popular celebrations. Now Estes Park has stepped in to reanimate FDGD, which will take place Friday to Sunday, March 15, to 17, 2023.
It will be held at the Estes Park Events Complex and The Stanley Hotel, with satellite events at various locations around town.
Festival attendees can expect the weird and wonderful happenings from year’s past, including coffin races and a polar plunge, as well as plenty of new Estes twists, such as a Deadman Fashion Show, roaming freak show acts, Brain Freeze contest, a Bands & Bloodys Sunday Brunch and more.
The Irish Wake at Cousin Pat’s Pub & Grill on Friday, March 17 is FREE and open to the public, as is an Icebreaker Kickoff at Bond Park featuring music from Chain Station and A-Mac & The Height.
These events are followed by the iconic Royal Blue Ball at The Stanley Hotel, featuring Grandpa Bredo and Ice Queen costume contest. The live entertainment lineup for the Royal Blue Ball includes:
- The Polish Ambassador: This San Francisco-based EDM artist rocks more than just a trademark jumpsuit, bringing technicolor vibes to his thrilling performances.
- Eddie Roberts & Friends: A funk & soul supergroup led by the front man of The New Mastersounds, Eddie Roberts.
- Evanoff: A staple in the Colorado music scene, this guitar driven live-electronic trio is defined by a bold live show full of sonic exploration.
On Saturday, the party continues with a FDGD bash at the Estes Park Events Complex, including the Coffin Races, Brain Freeze contests, two sessions of Newly-Dead The Game and the new Deadman Fashion Show. The Kyle Hollingsworth Band, American rock keyboard player best known for playing in The String Cheese Incident, will be headlining on Saturday. Live entertainment throughout the festival includes:
- Break Science: Pioneers of Colorado’s electronic music explosion, the Denver-based Break Science brings together East Coast hip hop and futuristic sounds.
- Magic Beans: Funk, soul, live electronica, and even bluegrass music all find their way into this Colorado band’s eclectic live experience.
- Bill & Jillian Nershi featuring Jason Hann: Founding member of jam-grass faves The String Cheese Incident, Bill Nershi teams up with Jillian Nershi and Jason Hann for adventurous Americana.
- A-Mac & The Height: Colorado’s premiere Reggae Rock band, known for fusing their adventurous jam band spirit with an empowering and positive message.
- Toubab Krewe: This Asheville, NC-based instrumental powerhouse fearlessly fuses the music of Mali with classic southern rock.
- Cycles: A Denver-based power trio, Cycles masterfully fuses an eclectic blend of genres (everything from hip hop to funk to rock) to produce a truly original sound.
- Tenth Mountain Division: This Colorado group revives the soul, spirit and eclectic intersection of influences that birthed rock’n’roll, afresh for the modern ear.
- Drunken Hearts: Evolving out of an an acoustic trio, Drunken Hearts have evolved into an electric five-piece that captivates audiences across the country
- Shakedown Street: One of the greatest Grateful Dead tribute acts in the world, Shakedown Street is a perfect fit for Frozen Dead Guy Days.
- Tejon Street Corner Thieves: Hailing from the Colorado Rockies, this band plays an exciting mix of outlaw blues and “trash-grass.”
- Banshee Tree: Combining the sounds of electric & acoustic instruments with a diverse blend of dance, jam and jazz, Banshee Tree creates a frenzied, earthy music.
- Brothers of Brass: The only New Orleans brass band in Colorado, Brothers of Brass bring a Big Easy party with them wherever they go.
- Flash Mountain Flood: A five-piece Boulder-based psychedelic rock n’ roll jam band Flash Mountain Flood is committed to preserving American roots music.
- The Pamlico Sound: Bringing the funk wherever they perform, The Pamlico Sound have been electrifying Colorado’s Front Range for more than a decade now.
- Living Room Band: A lively, Colorado-based band that covers everything from classic rock to reggae to funk.
Local band lovers can catch live music all over town throughout the weekend and at the Bands & Bloodys Brunch on Sunday (which is also free, but you pay for your food and drink).
A FREE showing of “Grandpa’s in the Tuff Shed” is set for Sunday, March 19 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lonigans Grill Pub (110 W. Elkhorn Ave.). The 1998 documentary tells the strange but true story of how Bredo Morstoel became the Frozen Dead Guy and a resident of Nederland.
Saturday tickets that include all music performances, activities and events (except the Blue Ball at $99 and Coffin Races team registration) are now $39.
And that’s just the tip of of the iceberg!
For a full review of the event schedule, including times and costs, click here.
Keep a stiff upper lip (remember, it’s gonna be cold!) and let loose with lots of cool people.