Sky-Hi News file photo
The Wild Wild West might see some UFOs as the annual Winter Carnival overlaps with a drone event this Saturday in Grand Lake.
Grand Lake’s Winter Carnival is an all day event, and this year’s theme centers on the American frontier. But another event, Whoop the Mountains, will bring a futuristic spin with its inaugural festivities.
“Whoop” refers to tiny drones, about 20-25 grams in weight, that have recently become more affordable and are perfect for indoor racing. Organized by Denver Drone Co, anyone with a drone under 85 mm can purchase a $20 ticket to compete Saturday at the Grand Lake Center. Pilot check in begins at 11 a.m.
Events include singles and team racing, along with a freestyle competition where drones will be rated on their “performance.”
Of course, the Winter Carnival will also be hosting its traditional events all day Saturday. Throughout the town, participants can enjoy snow sculptures based on reflections of the Wild West.
Activities start at 9:30 a.m. at the Grand Lake Center with Cowboy Coffee Teapot Curling. Teams of four can participate for $20.
At the town park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Billy the Kid hole-in-one golf is $5 for a bucket of balls. There will also be snowman building from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., bull races for kids under 90 pounds at 11 a.m. and a mustang ring toss from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
New this year, the White Buffalo Pizza Company is hosting a Sugar Fort Building Contest for kids 12 and under from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Wild West Stampede Parade through town starts at 12:30 p.m. This will be followed by the Buckaroos Parent and Child Sled Pull down Grand Avenue. Participants should bring their own sled.
The Good, The Bad, The Bed Sleds will race down Grand Avenue at 1:15 p.m. for a team fee of $25. Strike it Rich Human Bowling follows on the main street at 2 p.m. and is $10 for adults.
The Hoe-Down Hootenanny Ball starts at 7 p.m. at Pancho & Lefty’s with a $5 cover fee. The carnival concludes with fireworks over Grand Lake at 8 p.m.
The festivities won’t be over for the drone race, with a cowboy and alien themed dance party from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday.
Finish the fun Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a drone battle, featuring cowboys shooting alien drones out of the skies with Nerf guns.