CENTRAL CITY — Beds rolled down Main Street on Saturday, June 20, 2026, as Central City marked the 52nd anniversary of Madam Lou Bunch Day.

The annual event is presented by Main Street Central City. Named for one of Central City’s historic madams, this year’s celebration continued the long-running tradition with its eclectic mix of bed races, vendors, music, cabaret dancers, local historical displays, and performances by the Wild Bunch.

Grand Z Casino & Hotel racers make their way down Main Street during the Madam Lou Bunch Day bed races on Saturday, June 20. Grand Z finished in third place.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Nine teams competed in the bed races. Three additional teams missed the race after a closure on Interstate 70 kept some participants from getting to town in time.

Easy Street and The Famous Bonanza Casino won first place. Rick’s Cabaret finished second, and Grand Z Casino & Hotel took third.

Other teams included XL Carpet Care, Central City Cannabis, Century Casino Central City, Metro State University, Central City Opera, and the bachelorette team “Racin’ da Bed to Wed,” whose members ran in wedding dresses.

The event also included several Lou Bunch awards. Century Casino won best costume. The oldest-in-bed award went to a team with a combined age of 143 years. The maiden voyage, or youngest-in-bed award, went to MSU with a combined age of 64 years. Century Casino also earned the “worst in bed” title with a time of 179 seconds.

Vendors set up along Main Street, including Wahl Dough Donuts, MC² Ice Cream, JKQ Barbecue, author Randi Samuelson-Brown, and others. JKQ Barbecue served smoked chicken, St. Louis ribs, brisket sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, loaded fresh-cut fries, and drinks.

Colorado author Randi Samuelson-Brown sold books on regional history, Gold Rush stories, and the Old West during Madam Lou Bunch Day.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Music was provided by Robbie Wicks and the Jimmy Lewis tribute band.

Samuelson-Brown had Colorado history books available, including titles about the West and regional history. A nearby historical display included items found in the Lou Bunch area, such as gears, spoons, locks, porcelain pieces, harmonica parts, and an old shoe.

The Backroom Cabaret dancers performed during the afternoon. The group’s show included costumes, dancing, and humor tied to the Lou Bunch theme.

The Backroom Cabaret dancers perform on Main Street during Madam Lou Bunch Day with music, costumes, and a nod to the town’s bawdy history.

Photo by Mindy Leary

The Wild Bunch, led by Mike Keeler, performed historical vaudeville-style skits in the street. The group used Old West characters, staged gunfire, and comedy as part of the show.

One skit featured a character named Deadeye Jack, who claimed to be the sharpest shot in the land. Each time he fired, the shot appeared to ricochet and hit someone else in the street.

Keeler said the Wild Bunch performs at local events and is connected with Gilpin County history programs, including cemetery tours. He said the group members give their weekends to the shows because they enjoy performing and sharing history.

“We’re very safety conscious,” Keeler said, explaining that the group uses blanks and re-enactor pistols during its performances.

Main Street Central City thanked the teams, vendors, performers, and visitors and said the event will return on the third Saturday of June 2027.