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How many times have you
called upon the Gods with a petition, only to get a less-than-desirable result?
I remember once when I prayed for the perfect
job. I specified the importance of independence, interesting work
and compatible workmates.
A short time later, the company I was working for
downsized me
out of a job, and I started a tour company with a friend. My
prayers were answered. However, one ingredient was missing. I forgot to say, and please,
God, let it be very profitable. Well we survived and had a lot
of fun, but we'd have been a lot better off if I known how to pray
correctly.
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Breckenridge has learned this lesson.
They need snow, they want
snow and they know how to get it. I know this because on this
evening with a parade that peaks a week long celebration of Ullr (pronounced "you
ler") it is snowing like a son-of-a-gun.
You may have guessed by
now that Ullr has something to do with snow. He is, in fact, the
Nordic God of Winter. Son of the golden-haired goddess, Sif,
and stepson of Thor,
the God of Thunder, Ullr loves the cold and if you treat him right, he
will dump a pile of snow in your backyard.
Breckenridgers know this, so every year, they gather together for a
week long celebration of bizarre and raucous events designed to show
homage to their God, who will, in return, bless their village with
snow. As I said, it works.
According to legend, Ullr took great glee in winter and is said to
have delighted himself by skiing and skating all over his mythological
kingdom.
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Snowy streets of Breckenridge
as the town
awaits the arrival
of their God, Ullr
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Crowds gather around the
grandstand to
get up close and personal to, who else, but ELVIS!
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ULLR! Or perhaps, one of his
followers?
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Apparently overzealous
in his efforts to produce plenty of snow, he fell out of favor with the
powers that be, was exiled and claimed for his new home - you guessed it
- Breckenridge, Colorado. No warmer welcome could the cool God
had received (of course - it's the friendly town).
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Yes, it's ELVIS (click for a
close-up) - now known
as Jim Felton and respected
member of Breckenridge
Ski Resort.
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Want to learn more about
Norse Mythology? |
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mythology.
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by vargr from Indianapolis, IN |
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Did you think I was kidding when I said bizarre? It's
a freezing night, one of the coldest, and the parade seems to be taking
forever to get started. Finally the Norse God appears, leading a string
of zany floats. As we stand, with scarves practically
stuffed down our throats and try to keep our toes wiggled to prevent
frostbite, a skier in only an itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini and a lei
comes shooting past us on skis!
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Behind him are belly dancers with snowflakes dropping on
their heaving bare tummies, followed by a float and girls wearing hula
skirts over their ski clothes. The Agnostic Church makes an
appearance with a sign saying "We Came". Suddenly
a couple of girls in front of me begin screaming, "Here they
come!" They climb over the guard rail armed with cameras and
begin jumping around hysterically at the highlight of the parade. A
wedding party in a horse drawn carriage!
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It's a first for the Ullr Parade. The groom, Todd Booth, is a
native of Breckenridge and his bride, Amie Kenyon has lived here for 5
years.
They met at the Lodge and Spa where they both work, and decided to
have an intimate wedding with their 40,000 closest friends.
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Todd Booth and Amie Kenyon
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The carriage stops in front of the grandstand. Gretchen
Abernathy, the minister, who has known the groom since he was 8 years
old, performs the ceremony and the newlyweds say their vows through
chattering teeth.
They plan to spend their wedding night 'Ullr style', that is,
barhopping.
There's more than one way to get out of that expensive reception.
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The Ullr
Fest is clearly a locals' event. As nutty as it is, there's
something endearing about the way the whole community gets involved,
marches down Main street in kooky costumes and crazy floats; the
way the bars have drink specials in honor of the Snow God, and the way
the local police sort of turn their heads at the 'schnapps in a
bag" festivities that take place on the street.
There's a message to be heard here, and it's not just
about knowing how to ask the Gods for snow.
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If you'd like to see
more of the parade, we have a
slide show for you.
Which float do you think
won the grand prize? |
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More about Breckenridge
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Tomorrow we
meet the man who's slogan is "Get the Finger". I
suggest you be there! |
 GO! |
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