To make a long story short, both visa problems and living space issues found the threat – nay, the problem – of grandpa facing life (or death) on his own.
What? What about the summer months? Who will look after Grandpa Bredo?
This is where the city of Nederland stepped in. Working with Grandpa Bredo’s daughter, the city passed appropriate regulations in the mid 1990’s that allowed Grandpa Bredo to be cared for by the city.
But, of course, where there is city responsibility, there is a city job. In the years that followed, Grandpa Bredo acquired an “Ice Man” to keep his body packed in dry ice, keeping it at an appropriate temperature for continued cryogenic preservation (thank you, Bo Shaffer for over 20 years of service!). Oh, and if anyone wants to see Grandpa Bredo, Mr. Shaffer is happy to let you visit.
And what does that mean? It means that Nederland has quite the story to tell. And any town worth its weight in good-natured population knows that a situation such as theirs warrants an event! Ergo,Frozen Dead Guy Days(FDGD) began in 2001, and has been gaining popularity and attendance ever since.
Now, FDGD is considered one of the 100 top festivals in the United States (so named by the Chicago Tribune). This year’s 2013 celebration commences on the weekend of March 8-10.
When you attend, be prepared for both a lot of fun and a lot of spectacle. Food, music, Grandpa Look-alike Contest, lots of people dressed as the dearly departed, a polar-bear type swim, Coffin Races, cryogenic-related activities, shopping, films, hearse parade, games and contests, and more. You never quite know what might “animate” at this unforgettable event.
