Founded at the height of the Colorado Gold Rush in 1859, Central City was once referred to as “The Richest Square Mile on Earth” and was one of the staples of the state’s growing economy.

Hoping to get rich quick, thousands of fortune seekers from around the country poured into the area. Most were young men that outnumbered women by a 3 to 1 ratio. The influx of population created a need for services including those provided by Madam Lou Bunch and her sporting house girls in the red-light district at the end of Pine Street.

The most successful madam in town, Lou Bunch was a philanthropist as well, supporting local causes whenever she could. Perhaps this was to remain in good stead with officials that secretly frequented her brothels, turning a blind eye to her illicit business.

When a tuberculosis epidemic hit town in the late 1800s, Bunch temporarily ceased operations and opened her doors to the sick as a makeshift hospital and hospice. Her noble efforts made her a heroine and are credited with nursing the city back to health.

More than 120 years later, Central City still honors Lou Bunch in the form of Madam Lou Bunch Day. For the 47th time, the refreshingly bawdy assemblage entertained attendees with a wink and a smile.

The Jimmy Lewis Band kicked things off at noon with catchy numbers like Kansas City, Route 66, The South’s Gonna Do It Again, and more event-appropriate songs like Hot Legs, and Shake Your Moneymaker.

Wearing a miner’s helmet and steampunk goggles, Eric Chin added comic relief on his ukulele. The Backroom Cabaret and Belvidere Players made it lively with three presentations interspersed throughout the day. Glenn Miller’s In the Mood and Peggy Lee’s Fever set a passionate tone and the jaunty can-can with its Moulin Rouge leg kicks and ruffled petticoats was enthusiastically presented.

Keeping things rolling, the marquee event Bed Races commenced at 3 p.m. Teams of three consisting of a man and a woman sitting on a brass bed on wheels with the other man pushing were required to make their way down Main Street and round a barrel. The bed pusher’s nightshirt was then fitted to the male rider as they switched places. Pushing the bed up the steep incline to the finish line proved too difficult for one team that stalled halfway home. Others zigzagged out of control costing them precious time.

In the end it was the Dostal Alley team that took first place with a light female passenger and two young strapping Central City Boulter boys. Their time of one minute, three seconds, was 17 seconds ahead of the Madam Violet of Lee Mansion team that eked out second place by one second over Easy Street Casino.

Special awards were handed out for Best Costume, Youngest in Bed, Oldest in Bed, and the dreaded Worst in Bed, which despite how it sounds, simply means the slowest. The top three madams, sporting house girls, and dandy Dans were later named at the Madam & Miners Ball.

For more fun photos and event information check out https://www.facebook.com/madamloubunchday/

In Lou Bunch’s honor Top, left; Fun for men and women. Top, right; More music. Bottom; Maverick Gaming finished in the middle of the pack. Middle, left; Sporting House Girl Sierra Rodd strikes a dignified pose. Middle; There was some beefcake amongst the cheesecake. PHOTOS BY DAVE GIBSON[/caption]