Festivals in Globeville

The eastern European immigrants who settled Globeville in the 1880s are long gone, but they left a robust legacy of their native cultures in the neighborhood. To experience the ethnic churches, food, crafts, dancing, singing and beer! of the old country, attend one or all of the church festivals.
The first of these celebrations will be the 15th Annual Orthodox Food Festival at Holy Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, 349 E 47th Avenue (at Logan Street). This grand event will be held only one day, Saturday, July 21, 2018, from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm. Bring Tupperware and stock up on astounding array of cuisine from Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Eritrea, Italy, Greece and Mexico, as well as grilled lamb, hot dogs, craft beer and Slivovitz (Slovenian plum brandy). 
There will be live entertainment, games for children, crafts, and an exhibit of iconography. The jewel in this festival is the beautiful (and newly painted) Orthodox Cathedral. Any building that's one-hundred-twenty years old has stories to tell (their three bells were a gift of the last Czar) and a tour of the cathedral is one you will remember. Globeville Orthodox Festival

 

Take a tour of the historic cathedral

So much food, such variety!

The next big thing is the Polish Food Festival at St. Joseph Polish Parish at the corner of 46th Avenue and Pearl Street - this is the red church spire visible from I-70. Check the program for prices of food and Polish beer, and the schedule of entertainment. Polish Food Festival

 

Krakowiacy Polish dancers

Celebrations for the festival at Holy Rosary Church are still in the planning stages. Save the date, Saturday October 6th. There will be food! Check the website for information. Holy Rosary Denver

Celebrating Globeville

Begin the weekend of celebrating Globeville's rich history at Riverside Cemetery for Walk-A-Bout: "The Other Side of Riverside" at 9:00 am Saturday, July 17. Historian Jeff Stoffel will honor Riverside's Globeville residents with a special focus on the Orthodox section of the cemetery. The walk begins at Riverside's office at 9 am and will conclude at 11 am. Bring water, wear sunscreen and your walking shoes. Remember that there are no facilities at Riverside. This event is free, but will be limited to 20 people, so make a reservation at events@friendsofriversidecemetery.org

Then follow the aroma of roasting lamb to the 7th Annual “Orthodox Food Festival and Old Globeville Days” on Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18 at Argo Park, 349 E 47th Avenue (at Logan Street) in Denver. Sample food from Russia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Eritrea, Greece, and Mexico while enjoying live music, activities for the children, entertainment and dance. Visit with your neighbors in the shade of the canopy, tour the craft booths or see a demonstration of iconography. Don't miss an opportunity to tour the beautiful 112-year-old Orthodox Cathedral, a historic landmark.

Saturday festivities will run from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm; on Sunday, the festival is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is free.

For information, visit http://orthodoxfoodfestival.wetpaint.com/ or www.transfigcathedral.org or call 303-294-0938

Top photo, the beautiful Orthodox section of Riverside Cemetery

Second photo, lamb roasting at the 2009 celebration

Third photo, crafts and food from the 2009 evvent

Fourth photo, Fotia from Hellenic Dance Academy of Denver. All photos by Mary Lou Egan