Kingdom Days

Kingdom Days: June 15th & 16th, 2013

Breckenridge kicks off summer with free heritage celebration that honors Breck’s mining past with Outhouse Races and more; the National Repertory Orchestra performs an opening night concert; the Breckenridge Fun Park officially opens for summer and the gondola begins full-time summer operations. See the schedule for the full lineup of fun.

Join us in reinventing Breckenridge’s colorful past during the seventh annual Kingdom Days. Celebrate over 150 years of Breckenridge’s diverse history with mining, exploration and adventure. Founded in 1859, Breckenridge was inadvertently excluded from some copies of the U.S. maps, becoming known as “Colorado’s Kingdom” until 1936 when it finally became incorporated. For an entire weekend, this real town turns upside down to pay tribute to gold fields and mining, exploration and adventure, brothels and saloons, booms and busts.

During Kingdom Days, the streets line-up with eager spectators cheering on competitors in Outhouse Races, a wildly popular event that is fast becoming a big tradition in Breck. Teams come together to push and pull their outhouses of various themes and materials across the finish line. Colorado blue skies, smooth pavement, a little creativity and spirited racing partners fuel this quirky event that will bring thrills for years to come. So wash away your inhibitions, grab your friends and try for a seat on the Gold Throne, the Silver Moon or the Bronze Bucket. What better way to celebrate Father’s Day!

Leading up to the wildly popular outhouse races, Kingdom Days weekend brings an abundance of things to do throughout the weekend. Let loose at a town party, take a historic hike to a variety of mining relics and a glimpse into our past, get cultural insight at our museums and galleries, take in some live music and try your hand at gold panning. Whatever you choose, you’ll feel like mountain royalty during this one-of-a-kind weekend festival.

We are still finalizing the details for this years Kingdom Days. However, you can expect this year’s Kingdom Days schedule to look fairly similar to 2012 Kingdom Days Schedule listed below:

Annual Sidewalk Sale
June 15th – 17th
Come join us and be treated like royalty on Main Street Breckenridge!

FREE Historic Museum Tours

Breckenridge Fun Park Opens
At the base of Peak 8, the Breckenridge Fun Park serves up major action with the Gold Runner Coaster, alpine slide, miniature golf, four wheel drive tours and more. Fpr more Information please call 970-453-5000 or visit www.breckenridge.com.
Where: Base of Peak 8 at Breckenridge Ski Resort
The Fun Park opens for the summer on June 15 and is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weather permitting
Cost: Varies

BreckConnect Gondola Opens
The BreckConnect Gondola offers free (and scenic!) transportation from town to the base of Peak 8.
More Information: 970.453.5000

Barney Ford House Museum
See the home of Barney L. Ford, an escaped slave who prospered and became a prominent entrepreneur and black civil rights pioneer in Colorado. In 1880, Ford became the first black businessman in Breckenridge when he opened Ford’s Restaurant and Chophouse.
More Info: 970.453.9767
Where: 111 E. Washington Avenue
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Edwin Carter Museum
Take an interactive journey into the life of Breckenridge’s famous log cabin naturalist, Professor Edwin Carter. Tour Carter’s 1875 museum where he practiced taxidermy and amassed a collection of more than 3,000 Rocky Mountain animal specimens.
More Info: 970.453.9767
Where: 111 N. Ridge Street
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Summit Ski Museum
The Summit Ski Museum celebrates Breckenridge as the first ski town in Colorado and highlights the first 100 years of skiing in Summit County. Watch a ski documentary, see historic ski equipment through the decades and view a special exhibit about the 10th Mountain Division.
More Info: 970.453.9767
Where: 308-B S. Main Street, next to Hand & Glove
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Rotary Snowplow Park
Visit Engine No. 9, a narrow-gauge locomotive that served Breckenridge and Summit County for more than 50 years. See a rotary snowplow and learn about Breckenridge’s railroad history in the park museum.
Where: From Main Street, turn left on Boreas Pass Road, then take an immediate right into the parking lot
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Lomax Placer Mine
Experience Breckenridge’s early hydraulic mining days. Peer inside a miner’s cabin, see and feel the original mining equipment and learn to pan for gold. What you find is yours to keep! Great for the kids!
More Info: 970.453.9767
Where: From Main Street, turn west on Ski Hill Road, .3 miles to Lomax Mine on left
Saturday, June 16th 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

FREE Historical Hiking / Walking Tours

Guided Historic Walking Tour of Breckenridge
Take a tour through Breckenridge’s nationally recognized Historic District. Along the way, hear stories about the gold seekers, rough individuals and other hardy souls who lived in Breckenridge more than 100 years ago. Allow 75 minutes to complete the tour.
More Info: 970.453.9767
Where: Meet at the Breckenridge Welcome Center, 203 S. Main Street
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Washington Gold and Silver Mine Tour
Experience first hand the methods, equipment, lifestyles and hardships of the underground mining era in Summit County. Gold panning is also available. Great for the kids!
Where: From Main Street, turn left on Boreas Pass Road Turn right on Illinois Gulch Road (CR 518). Mine on left.
Bus Route: Take the Boreas Pass route from the transit station and get off at the Illinois Gulch stop.
Saturday, June 16 & Sunday June 17 at 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Saloon & Breckenridge Distillery Tour
Taste the spirits of the Breckenridge Distillery and learn about the historic saloons of Breckenridge. Ages 21+ only. Allow 75 minutes to complete tour. Reservations recommended.
Where: 203 S. Main Street (Welcome Center)
Saturday, June 16 at 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $10.00

Haunted Tour of Breckenridge
Join us for an evening stroll through Breckenridge’s haunted historic district. Along the way, hear the eerie and unexplained stories from Breckenridge’s rough and uncertain past.
Where: 203 S. Main Street (Welcome Center)
Saturday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $15.00
Reservation are Required

* Space is limited on guided tours, please call 970.453.9767 to reserve a spot.

Events

Breckenridge Old Time Photo
Dress up in historic costumes and have a professional photographer create your very own “Old Time Photo” with your family and friends. A great memento from the fourth annual Kingdom Days, fees apply.
Where: Breckenridge Old Time Photo Studio 326 South Main Street
Saturday, June 16th 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. & Sunday, June 17th 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Welcome Proclamation
In the summer of 1936, Colorado Governor, Big Ed Johnson and Breckenridge locals gathered on the Summit County Courthouse lawn, where a U.S. flag was raised, officially welcoming the Town of Breckenridge and Summit County into the nation.
Where: Blue River Plaza
Saturday, June 16th 11:00 a.m.

Barney Ford BBQ
Enjoy BBQ fare on the lawn of the Barney Ford House Museum. All proceeds go toward future museum exhibits and operations.
Where: On the lawn at the Barney Ford House Museum, 111 E. Washington Avenue
Saturday, June 16th 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Photo Booth
Come capture the moments of your trip to the 6th Annual Kingdom Days! Fun costumes will be provided, just bring your smile or goofy faces and we will help you frame it. Great Father’s Day Gift!
Where: Welcome Center on the top floor – 203 S. Main Street
Saturday, June 16th 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $2.00

The Denver Drummers and Native American Dancers
The Denver Drummers and Native American performance group will entertain you with traditional dancing styles of Native Americans. With five performers showcased in the performance and each will be proficient in demonstrating a different dance style. This performance is not only entertaining, but also educational. The performers will interact with attendees and allow for demonstrations that will appeal to all ages.
Where: Main Street Station, 505 South Main Street
Saturday, June 16th 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Performance on each hour.

The Singing Cowboy
Come see Gary McMahan a singer, songwriter, yodeler, humorist, cowboy poet, and general nuisance known for his award-winning songs, captivating stories, uproarious humor, and national championship yodeling. Gary comes by his cowboy heritage naturally. He was born into it and has ridden, wrangled, and roped all over the West, all the while collecting reflections on cowboy ways. Those reflections are the backbone of all his songs, stories, and poems. A performance you do not want to miss.
Where: Main Street Station, 505 South Main Street
Saturday, June 16th 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Performance on each hour

Petting Zoo
Morning Star Miniatures was founded in 1994. Current owners Bob and Rhonda Mitchell are dedicated to providing a great family experience while giving children the opportunity to see farm animals up-close.
Where: Blue River Plaza
Saturday, June 16th starting at 4:00 p.m.

Old West Burro Rides
Enjoy Red Tail the Mountain Man’s old west burro farm and petting zoo as well free children’s burro rides.
Where: Barney Ford parking lot (corner of S. Ridge Street and Washington Avenue)
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Blacksmithing Demonstrations
Come by and see Rory May, with Dragon Forge Ltd. transform red hot metal on site. Demonstrations will include late 1800s and contemporary processes.
More Info: 970.547.3116
Where: Barney Ford parking lot (corner of S. Ridge Street and Washington Avenue)
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Gold Panning
Get expert instruction and see demonstrations by the Gold Prospectors of Colorado.
Where: Blue River Plaza on Main Street
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Breckenridge World Market
The Breckenridge Sunday World Market boasts 40+vendors from around the world sharing their handmade crafts and exotic goods as well as three farms. Performing on Main Stage, Amy Matheus a Colorado Country singer from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Main Street Station, 505 South Main Street
Sunday, June 17th 12:00 p.m.

Edwin Carter Birthday Celebration
Come celebrate the Birthday of Edwin Carter. Birthday cake will be served.
More Info: 970.453.9767
Where: On the lawn at the Edwin Carter Museum, 111 N. Ridge Street
Sunday, June 17th 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Art District

National Repertory Orchestra Opening Night
Celebrate the opening night of the National Repertory Orchestra performance with Elgar’s Enigma Variations and more.
Where: Riverwalk Center, 150 W. Adams Avenue W
Friday, June 15th 7:30 p.m.

History Series – Breckenridge Clay Tiles
Take home a part of Breckenridge with you as you learn about the Victorian buildings on Breckenridge’s Main Street. You will paint a ceramic tile using acrylic paint inspired by images of Breckenridge’s historic structures. Instruction by Janis Bunchman.
Where: Fuqua Livery Stable, 110 E. Washington Ave
Saturday, June 16th 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $25.00, includes all materials
Registration 1 day in advance – call 970.453.3364

History Series – Captivating Photos
In this hands-on workshop, beginning photographers will learn creative ways to improve their photographs with local artist Emily Zoeller. Students will acquire knowledge of composition, lighting and other essential artistic ideas to help produce more captivating photography. Focus on June 16th will be the historic structures and artifacts around Breckenridge.
Where: Fuqua Livery Stable, 110 E. Washington Ave
June 16th 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
Please bring a camera if you have one. Registration 1 day in advance – call 970.453.3364

Cups for Water Clay Fest
Local potters will demonstrate throwing and clay techniques throughout the day. In addition there will be “Olympic” clay events in professional and amateur divisions, with awards and prizes.
Where: Quandary Antiques Cabin, 131 S. Ridge St.
Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
More Info: http://cupsforwater.blogspot.com
Hosted by The Breckenridge Art District.

Art Around Town
Join us for a walking tour through Breckenridge starting at the Fuqua Livery Stable in the heart of the growing Art District. Your guides, Breckenridge Public Art Commissioners, will provide the stories behind our public art sculptures and point our historical and cultural places of interest along the way. Tour last approximately 90 minutes.
Where: Fuqua Livery Stable, 110 E. Washington Ave.
Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th at 10:30 a.m.

Signature Weekend Events

Outhouse Races People’s Choice Voting.
Vote for your favorite themed/decorated outhouse entry.
Where: In the Exchange Parking lot at the corner of Ridge Street and Lincoln Avenue, across from Fatty’s restaurant
Sunday, June 17th 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

NEW THIS YEAR – Kingdom Days Ridge Street Party!
Come join us for a good old Street Party. Enjoy a cold beer and a yummy BBQ provided by Fatty’s Pizzeria and Goods with live music from The Luv Brothers and Universally Famous Rocket Surgeons! Kids can enjoy face painters and balloon twisters!! A great Father’s Day event! Food and beverage available for purchase.
Where: In Breckenridge
Sunday, June 17th 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.