Media Contacts: 

Heidi Barfels

Heidi@visitestespark.com

Claire Molle

Claire@visitestespark.com

 

 

FREEZE THE DATE: ESTES PARK ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL
FROZEN DEAD GUY DAYS FESTIVAL FROM MARCH 15-17, 2024

Don’t miss the chance to visit the man who inspired the festival in his new home at the International Cryonics Museum at The Stanley Hotel

 

ESTES PARK, Colo., December 5, 2023 – Estes Park, the picturesque gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, is gearing up for the coolest festival in Colorado as it announces the 2024 edition of the annual Frozen Dead Guy Days (FDGD) festival. Scheduled to take place at the Estes Park Events Complex and The Stanley Hotel from March 15-17, 2024 (St. Patrick’s Day Weekend), this unique and quirky event promises a frosty fusion of entertainment, icy competitions and a celebration of the extraordinary tale that inspired it all. Festival tickets will go on sale on Friday, December 8 at frozendeadguydays.com. Blue Ball tickets can be purchased at stanleyhotel.com

“Our community came together in a big way to make the first Frozen Dead Guy Days held in Estes Park last year a great success,” said Kara Franker, CEO of Visit Estes Park. “In 2024, the event is shaping up to be bigger and better with even more events and experiences in the works.”

A quick primer on the Frozen Dead Guy Days saga: The event honors an unusual turn of events that brought the frozen body of a deceased Norwegian man to a Tuff Shed in Nederland, Colorado. Bredo Morstøl (or Grandpa Bredo, as Frozen Dead Guy Days devotees fondly refer to him), passed away in 1989, but his family froze his body and shipped it to the U.S. Over the next decade, his legend grew amongst Nederland residents, and a winter festival was born to pay homage to Grandpa Bredo with quirky events and activities. By 2022, the event had outgrown its original home and was moved to Estes Park.

“Last year we honored Grandpa Bredo’s legacy by resurrecting the Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival in Estes Park,” said John Cullen, president of Grand Heritage Hotel Group and owner of The Stanley Hotel. “This year, we’re excited to give this year’s attendees the opportunity to visit Grandpa Bredo himself, at the new International Cryonics Museum located inside the Ice House at the Stanley Hotel.” 

What should attendees expect from Frozen Dead Guy Days in 2024? A few highlights include:

  • Coffin Races: Teams of “pallbearers” will race head-to-head, through a course full of obstacles, mud, snow, and drills in a grandstand setting. (Additional registration required to participate.) 

  • The Blue Ball: This iconic FDGD event will be held at the historic Stanley Hotel and will feature live music, dancing, DJs and more.

  • Polar Plunge: Dress up in your craziest costume and take the plunge!

  • Deadman Fashion Show: Come dressed in your finest “dead guy” duds to win prizes and mingle with your fellow attendees. 

  • Bands & Bloodys Brunch: Close out the frigidly fun weekend with live music and themed brunch menus at restaurants around town.

FDGD 2024 will also offer attendees the opportunity to visit the new International Cryonics Museum. Housed in The Stanley Hotel’s historic Ice House, the museum serves as Grandpa Bredo’s resting place and features fascinating exhibits about the science behind cryonics. For more information, go to stanleyhotel.com/fdgtour.

 

###

About Visit Estes Park

Visit Estes Park is the official Destination Marketing Organization for Estes Park, Colorado. A Destinations International (DI) accredited DMO, Visit Estes Park's mission is to drive sustainable year-round economic growth by encouraging visitor demand. Estes Park, just 90 minutes from Denver, is the basecamp for Rocky Mountain National Park offering outdoor experiences, activities, dining, shopping and an environment that is welcoming and approachable. Known for world-class adventure, resident wildlife and scenic beauty, Estes Park is Colorado’s quintessential mountain town. To learn more, go to visitestespark.com.