Kingdom Days
Kingdom Days: June 16th & 17th, 2012
Summer Kickoff Activities: June 15th - 17th, 2012.
Breckenridge kicks off summer June 15th - 17th, 2012 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 fifth 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 on Saturday night, 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.
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/peak-8-fun-park.aspx.
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 & Sunday, June 17th 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2:00 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.
Iowa Hill Tour
Enjoy a guided hike that goes through a historic mine site and up
to a restored miners’ boardinghouse. Along the way, mining relics
tell the story of Iowa Hill and how gold was extracted from the
surrounding hills.
More Info: 970.453.9767
Where: Park at the trailhead on Airport Road, approximately
one mile north of Park Avenue in Breckenridge.
Bus Route: Take the Yellow/Airport Road bus from the
transit station to the Public Works stop.
Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17 at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2:00 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 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $15.00
* Space is limited on guided tours, please call 970.453.9767 to reserve a spot.
Events
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.
Old Time Photos
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 & Sunday, June 17th, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 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.
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.
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.
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 12:00 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.
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.
Breckenridge Outhouse Races
The running of the 5th Annual Outhouse races. In celebration of the zany character of Breckenridge and the hardships faced by our forefathers, Breckenridge hosts an event that combines a glimpse of our past in the spirit of today. There will be memorable prizes forfirst, second and third places as well as the People’s ChoiceOuthouse Award.
Where: Ridge Street (between Lincoln Avenue and
Washington Avenue)
Sunday, June 17th 2:00 p.m.
Kingdom Days Package
Join us in reinventing Breckenridge's colorful past during the fourth annual Kingdom Days. Celebrate 153 years of Breck's diverse history with mining, exploration and adventure. While enjoying Kingdom Day catch opening weekend of the National Reporitory Orchestra. Kingdom Days events include the popular outhouse races, town party, and a Wild West gun fight on Main Street.
Dates Available: 06/15/2012 through 06/18/2012
Minimum Stay Requirement: 4 Nights
For those of you who missed the famous Breckenridge Outhouse Races, it is your "doodie" to watch the video below...
