Frozen Dead Guy Days cancels 2023 event over disagreements with Nederland

Mitchell Byars, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·3 min read

Nov. 3—Frozen Dead Day Guys has been put on ice for 2023 as event organizers and Nederland officials were unable to reach an agreement following some concerns from the town about last year's event.

In a Facebook post on the Frozen Dead Day Guys Facebook page, event organizers said the festival would not happen next year "due to numerous factors including our own operational hurdles returning after a two-year COVID hiatus, a lack of partnership with the town of Nederland, and the challenges of large event production on the safety and security fronts."

"FDGD started as a small festival and took on a life of its own. We have experienced growing pains over the past many years, as has Nederland," festival co-owner Sarah Mosely Martin said in a statement.

The event celebrates the late "Grandpa" Bredo Morstoel, who has been frozen in a Tuff Shed in Nederland for almost 30 years.

The event went on hiatus for two years following the COVID pandemic before the coffin races and frozen T-shirt contests returned in 2022. But following the event's return, it appears the relationship between festival organizers and the town has gotten a bit frosty.

In a press release following Frozen Dead Guy Days' announcement, Nederland officials said it "received quite a bit of positive feedback from the community, with many noting that it was one of the best events with regards to traffic flow, noise, and positivity among event attendees and (Frozen Dead Guy Days) volunteers."

"In addition to serving as a sales tax boost for our municipality and local businesses, we acknowledge that events provide an opportunity for people to come together, celebrate arts, culture and music, and overall, just have a great time," the release read. "FDGD is truly a one-of-a-kind event that is treasured by locals and visitors, and we were happy that they were able to hold the 2022 event in Nederland following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic."

But the town also noted "significant challenges that resulted from FDGD not adhering to the plans submitted, discussed and finalized during technical review committee meetings, ultimately creating confusion, disorganization, and safety concerns."

"These challenge areas included things like communication, mud/snow mitigation plan, parade/event logistics, parking/traffic, safety, security, site plan development, and zero waste compliance."

In a letter to event organizers following the 2022 festival, Nederland officials said Frozen Dead Guy Days would need to make several changes in order to hold the 2023 event, including more advanced planning, more personnel and a non-owner event organizer.

Nederland officials also said the event could not use Guercio Field due to reseeding, which apparently was the "the nail in the coffin" for 2023 hopes.

Neither side commented on plans for the event beyond 2023. Both expressed hope that the event, like Grandpa Bredo himself, could be preserved and hopefully brought back to life.

"FDGD started as a small festival and took on a life of its own," Martin said in a statement. "We have experienced growing pains over the past many years, as has Nederland."

The Nederland press release added, "Town is looking to continue communication to assess ways in which there can be a fun and safe FDGD festival in town while maintaining our town assets and protecting our valuable resources. We have always appreciated and valued the partnership with the FDGD and look forward to future conversations."