Celebrating starts early with Champagne Pong, Waiter/Waitress Race
With bubbles blowing out of a snowmaking machine, Purgatory Resort’s float leads the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade down Main Avenue on Friday evening. The annual parade featured 60 floats.
Nancy Jane Haar with the Dancing Divas walks down Main Avenue during the Snowdown Light Parade.
Brianna Pierce, left, of the Diamond Belle Saloon and Tory Bilbrey of Ken & Sue’s Restaurant take aim Friday during the 2018 Snowdown Waiter/Waitress Race at Steamworks Brewing Co.
Participants enjoy Champagne Pong, held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 403, during Snowdown 2018.
The Purgatory Resort float leads the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade down Main Avenue on Friday evening with bubbles blowing out of a snow-making machine. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Travis Gardner ends up losing a game and having to drink some champagne on Friday during 2018 Snowdown “Champagne Pong” at the VFW. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Travis Gardner ends up losing a game and having to drink some champagne on Friday during 2018 Snowdown “Champagne Pong” at the VFW. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Friends have a good time during “Champagne Pong” 2018 Snowdown on Friday at the VFW. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Krista Loken, left, and Sheree Syra battle it out on Friday during 2018 Snowdown “Champagne Pong” at the VFW. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Sheree Syra ends up having to drink a glass of champagne on Friday during 2018 Snowdown “Champagne Pong” at the VFW. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Cyle Pete competes in a game of “Champagne Pong” on Friday as friend Matt Esalio cheers him on at the VFW. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 100 people showed up on Friday for 2018 Snowdown “Champagne Pong” at the VFW. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Players battle it out in the final rounds on Friday during 2018 Snowdown “Champagne Pong” at the VFW. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Snowdown Champagne Pong takes place at the VFW on Friday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pilot Skip Howes sails his balloon the “Wildfire” over the Animas Valley on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day on Friday was a hit with participants and viewers. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pilot Skip Howes sails his balloon the “Wildfire” over the Animas Valley on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Tom Connolly part of Team Wildfire holds the balloon steady as Pilot Skip Howes fills his balloon the “Wildfire” on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pilot Skip Howes sails his balloon the “Wildfire” over the Animas Valley on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day on Friday as other balloons get ready for take off. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pilot Skip Howes sails his balloon the “Wildfire” over the Animas Valley on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day on Thursday in calm winds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pilot Skip Howes sails his balloon the “Wildfire” over the Animas Valley on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day on Friday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pilot Skip Howes sails his balloon the “Wildfire” over the Animas Valley on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day on Friday in calm winds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pilot Skip Howes sails his balloon the “Wildfire” over the Animas Valley on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day on Thursday in calm winds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pilot Skip Howes sails his balloon the “Wildfire” over the Animas Valley on Friday morning during the Snowdown 2018 Balloon Rally media day on Thursday as other balloons get ready for take off. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Tonya LaBaume competes in a game of “Champagne Pong” Friday during Snowdown 2018 as friend Miss Chrissy B. cheers her on at the Volunteers of Foreign Wars Post 403. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
About 100 people showed up Friday for Snowdown 2018 “Champagne Pong” at the Volunteers of Foreign Wars Post 403. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Leah Deane had to drink a glass of champagne Friday during Snowdown 2018’s “Champagne Pong” held at the Volunteers of Foreign Wars Post 403. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Brianna Pierce, left, of the Diamond Belle Saloon, and Tory Bilbrey, of Ken & Sue’s Restaurant, take aim Friday during the 2018 Snowdown “Waiter/Waitress Race” at Steamworks Brewing Co. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Kyle Gray, of Purgy’s Slopeside Restaurant, throws a derby hat trying to knock off a mannequin head Friday during the 2018 Snowdown “Waiter/Waitress Race” at Steamworks Brewing Co. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Suzanne Garcia, of Hoody’s Basecamp Lodge, tries to get across a balance beam carrying drinks without spilling them Friday during the 2018 Snowdown “Waiter/Waitress Race” at Steamworks Brewing Co. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Stormy Banner, of Purgy’s Slopeside Restaurant, carries a tray of drinks while she walks a balance beam Friday during the 2018 Snowdown “Waiter/Waitress Race” at Steamworks Brewing Co. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jessica Fields. of the Diamond Belle Saloon, left, and Madeline Tovar, of Ken and Sue’s Restaurant, mix drinks and then try to walk a balance beam Friday during the 2018 Snowdown “Waiter/Waitress Race” at Steamworks Brewing Co. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jessica Fields, of the Diamond Belle Saloon, tries to get across a balance beam carrying drinks without spilling them Friday during the 2018 Snowdown “Waiter/Waitress Race” at Steamworks Brewing Co. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A contestant tries to tap one of several kegs Friday during the 2018 Snowdown “Waiter/Waitress Race” at Steamworks Brewing Co. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Dozens of spectators turned out for the “Waiter/Waitress Race” Friday at Steamworks Brewing Co. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Purgatory Resort float leads the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade down Main Avenue on Friday evening with bubbles blowing out of a snow-making machine. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Nancy Jane Haar, with the Dancing Divas, walks in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade on Friday evening down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Main Avenue was filled with parade lovers for the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Bonds Construction float goes down Main Avenue on Friday during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Bonds Construction float goes down Main Avenue on Friday during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Durango McDonald’s float goes down Main Avenue on Friday during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Remax balloon goes down Main Avenue on Friday during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Several bands and dancers participated Friday night in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Several bands and dancers participated Friday night in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Main Avenue was filled with parade lovers Friday night for the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Purgatory Resort float leads the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade down Main Avenue on Friday night with bubbles blowing out of a snow-making machine. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Main Avenue was filled with bands, dancers and floats that entertained the crowd Friday during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Nancy Jane Haar, with the Dancing Divas, walks Friday night in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade on Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Dogs playing cards on Santé Durango float Friday during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Hill Stompers band play and dance Friday night on Main Avenue during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Hill Stompers band play and dance Friday night on Main Avenue during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Hill Stompers band play and dance Friday night on Main Avenue during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Hill Stompers band play and dance Friday night on Main Avenue during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Hill Stompers band play and dance Friday night on Main Avenue during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Hill Stompers band play and dance Friday night on Main Avenue during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Hill Stompers band play and dance Friday night on Main Avenue during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Main Avenue was filled with bands, dancers and floats that entertained the crowd Friday during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Durango-La Plata County Airport had a snowplow in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Balloon Co. was giving away balloons Friday in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Durango Area Youth Hockey Association float on Friday in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
La Plata County Search and Rescue gives away candy during the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Habitat for Humanity float in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Colorado Department of Transportation had their newest snowplow in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Members of the Durango Salt Fire Circus perform in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Durango Elks Lodge float in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Members of the Durango Aerial Arts and Acrobatics stop and perform in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Ska Brewing had a walking beer can with their float in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Mia, a K-9 with La Plata County Search and Rescue, shows off her tricks in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jazzercise performs in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Rock, 105.3-FM Radio Station in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Members of the Durango Salt Fire Circus perform in the 2018 Snowdown Light Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango’s collective blood-alcohol content was on the rise Friday as Snowdown participants started indulging in libations well before noon. Here is a roundup of Friday’s biggest attractions:
Snowdown Light Parade
Durango held a lavish party downtown Friday night for the Snowdown Light Parade as thousands of people crowded Main Avenue dressed in their finest duds for the occasion.
Spectators could not have asked for better weather. Temperatures hovered around a balmy 50 degrees – and the only snow in sight was on the floats.
Sixty ritzy floats covered in lights dazzled the crowd, each competing for awards such as “Best Lights,” “Judges’ Favorite” and “WTF Award.”
“There are some great floats because you can really embellish them this year,” said parade coordinator Chip Lile. “People are really bringing it.”
Many floats opted for a more unique twist on Snowdown’s theme, “A Black Tie Affair.” Santé’s float featured people dressed in tuxedos wearing dog masks, closely mirroring the famous “Dogs Playing Poker” painting.
The party did not stop with the end of the parade as the crowd poured into the streets, likely in search of their martini, “shaken, not stirred.”
Waiter/Waitress Race
Being a successful waiter or waitress often means being able to hustle, a skill that was put to the test at the Waiter/Waitress Race outside Steamworks Brewing Co. Servers from Durango’s favorite local restaurants competed in an obstacle course combining balance, speed and style to determine the town’s superior wait staff. The timed course – which incorporated Snowdown’s theme with top hats and bow ties – required participants to call on their serving expertise as they tapped kegs and carried a tray of drinks while walking a balance beam.
Snowdown Champagne Pong
Durangoans at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 403 were comfortably numb by noon as they participated in a raucous game of champagne pong – similar to beer pong, but classier. The VFW was packed with participants as more than 60 people danced, sang and sipped champagne while dressed in their finest gowns and tuxedos. The rules were simple: Players take turns tossing a table tennis ball into their opponent’s champagne-filled cups. Once a ball lands in a cup, the cup is taken away and the opponent drinks the champagne.
For more Snowdown coverage, visit www.durangoherald.com/2018/snowdown.
