O, Festivus Pole

Feeling disillusioned this holiday season? Well, there’s a holiday for that, too. A Festivus for the Rest of Us was originally a Seinfeld plot arc, but it’s gained a very real following outside the sitcom. Rick Gold, who’s also a co-founder of Denver Flash Mob, is hosting his second Festivus...

By Kiernan Maletsky

December 23, 2010

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Feeling disillusioned this holiday season? Well, there’s a holiday for that, too. A Festivus for the Rest of Us was originally a Seinfeld plot arc, but it’s gained a very real following outside the sitcom. Rick Gold, who’s also a co-founder of Denver Flash Mob, is hosting his second Festivus celebration tonight in Denver, and he’s expanded it for 2010. There will be the usual Festivus traditions — a Festivus pole, feats of strength, the ritual airing of grievances. But Gold has added a new element to this year’s holiday: re-gifting. “If you have something crappy you don’t want, bring it,” he says, “and get something crappy that someone else doesn’t want.”

For Gold, just as for Frank Costanza, the holidays have gotten to be too much: too much buying, too much stress, too much glitz. “I think the focus should be put back on people and community and having fun,” he says. Festivus will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at Shag Lounge, 830 15th Street.

There’s no entrance fee, and there’s a $5 limit on re-gifting items. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for Food Bank of the Rockies. Find out more at www.denverflashmob.com.
Thu., Dec. 23, 6 p.m., 2010

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