Madam Lou Bunch Day and Famous Bed Race
Central City, Colorado. Annual town celebration; June.
Details
- Where
- Main Street, Central City, CO. Directions
- When
- Returns the third Saturday of June 2027.
- Getting there
- Via Interstate 70 and Central City Parkway, Exit 243.
- Fees
- Bed race team entry: $300.00 non-refundable check to Main Street Central City.
- Hours
- 12 noon-5:00PM on event day.
- Access
- Bed race contestants must be 18 years or older.
- Walk-in or reserve
- Bed race teams must complete an application and sign acceptance of the rules.
- Phone
- 303-358-3012
- Website
- visitcentralcity.com
- Managed by
- Main Street Central City.
The long-running tradition mixes bed races, vendors, music, cabaret dancers, local historical displays, and performances by the Wild Bunch.
Notable Events
- 1899In 1899 she bought the house owned by May Marstin on Pine Street in Central City and turned it into a brothel. themtnear.com
- 1914Pine Street in Central City was home to a red-light district beginning in the late 1800s until 1914, though prostitution was never legal there. themtnear.com
- 1915A statewide ban on alcohol was issued in 1915 and prohibition forced Lou to shut down her brothel; she sold her house in Central City and moved to Denver. themtnear.com
- 1970sA 1970s Western featuring a bed race was filmed in town; residents decided to bring the idea to life in tribute to Bunch. themtnear.com
- 1974Lou Bunch Days began in 1974 and continues to be one of Central City's best and most famous festivals; Westword named it The Most Unique Mountain event in Colorado. themtnear.com
- 2011In 2011, the Reserve Casino paid for her headstone; the Gilpin County Historical Society has been raising money for headstones for the other citizens. themtnear.com
- 2024This year's 50th annual competition drew around 10 teams, which paid a $500 entry fee. gazette.com
- 2024Dostal Alley's trio registered a time of 49.3 seconds, a new Madam Lou Bunch Day record. themtnear.com
People
- Mike Keeler, leads the Wild Bunch, which performs historical vaudeville-style street skits at the day; Keeler said the group is connected with Gilpin County history programs, including cemetery tours.
- Chuck Mullen, named Honorary Dandy Dan, a title awarded for longtime participation and community spirit.
- Kara Tinucci, honored as Madam of the Year for over a decade of service.
- Susan Sepanik, dancer with the Infamous Backroom Cabaret, named Cabaret Girl of the Year in her fifth year.
- Austin Boulter, Dostal Alley bed racer; first place in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
- Blake Boulter, Dostal Alley bed racer; his trio took first place in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
- Candace Davis Giunta, ex-Sporting House Girl who sang at the day's festivities.
- Jeremy Fey, Central City mayor who was bombarded with pies after the races, with contributions going to the Gilpin Arts Association.
- Maclaine Drysdale, the third of Dostal Alley's bed-racing trio; first place in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
- George Bunch, the well-known gambler whom Louisa Bunch married; his surname is the one her fame rests on (married 1879).
- Madame Louisa (Lou) Bunch, the Central City madam the day and the bed race honor; she ran the Pine Street brothel she bought from May Marstin (died 1925).
- Madam Lou Bunch, the Gold Rush-era Central City resident the day is named after; a political figure and successful business woman (died 1935).