A few weeks ago, I had the unique and distinguished honor to participate in "Frozen Dead Guy Days" in Nederland. For those not aware, this is an annual event in the small mountain town of Nederland (where I work), where a family who has preserved their loved one cryogenically presents the body for public viewing. Creepy? Very much so. Interesting? Indeed!
The event brings over 15,000 people to the town of 1,800 population each year. One event is the coffin race, which takes place immediately following the parade of coffins. It is nothing short of a violent obstacle course of 30 teams racing to beat the clock, carrying a coffin made by the team with a live person inside and show a little style while at it. Our team theme was "Dumb Hicks" and we officially represented West Virginia (my boss leads whitewater trips there in the summer).
I must say the mullet is very stylish and I wore it proudly. Our team decided right before the race that, if we were losing at the point of the woops course (shear ice rollers), that we would put our coffin down and dance. Th strategy paid off with a 1st place for style by the crowd of 2,000 and I walked away with a free blue-grass CD from Telluride Bluegrass Festival. It rocks.
I had fun and was thoroughly entertained by all the teams and their costumes, attitudes and competitiveness. Good times.