Submitted by Central City Local Events
Assorted characters from last year’s Lou Bunch Day include Diana Mack, Mike Keeler, Chuck Roberts, Ann Dodson, Bill Cavanaugh and Leah Carrington. File photo by Linda Jones.
It all started almost 40 years ago with the filming of the Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox with George Segal and Goldie Hawn released in 1976. With a lot of help from local dignitaries, city marketing and the Central City Local Events (a nonprofit organization), this event has remained alive and well with an increased following every year.
Central City lost to being the capital of Colorado by one (yes one) vote when Colorado became a state in 1876. During that time, Central City/Black Hawk was the hub of the economy for Colorado during the gold mining boom, including more saloons and gambling halls than you could shake a gold pan at.
Madam Lou Bunch ran her house on Pine Street, just behind Main Street and right below the mines to settle all the racing hearts of the hard working miners with many amenities. When the epidemic broke out, Madam Lou and her (sporting house) girls, “closed” the houses and turned them into makeshift hospitals. Getting the miners back to working health was there top priority to get the economy in the area back on track. With this in mind, many locals are very passionate about this event and the history that it tells.
The days’ events, costume contests and parade begins at noon until 5 p.m. on Main Street with the Bed Race starting at 3 p.m. sharp. The festivities continue throughout the evening with the “Miners and Madams Ball” at Madam Gail’s hosted by the Century Casino at 8 p.m., where one can compete for Madam, Dandy Dan or Sporting House Girl of the Year (with bragging right’s of course).
This is a great day of fun and competition. It’s also a great way to support Central City Local Events and community.
Join in the Bed Racing fun
The days’ events start at noon and go until 5 p.m. on Main Street and the festivities continue throughout the evening. The official bed race is at 3 p.m.
To participate in this historic event, all that is needed is a bed team, consisting of one female and two males….and a lot of running power (and good shoes).
The city provides the official bed on wheels for the race and make sure Main Street in Central City is your racetrack.
This is a great advertising opportunity and community event, so be sure your bed team participants wear costumes (there is a best costume cash prize) along with a sign (30×24) to advertise for your sponsorship. The top three bed team winners receive cash prizes with first place also receiving a unique trophy and the best bragging rights for a year. Your bed team must report to the Elk’s Lodge on Main Street at 1 p.m. for rules and instruction. The teams then strut their stuff in the official Madam Lou Bunch Day Parade and then off to the races. To sign up, contact Sandra Hines at 303-601-1023 or at anhcrzy@aol.com.
