Everything you need to know about Saint Cecilia Cathedral’s Flower Festival
The Saint Cecilia Cathedral is a stunning architectural project. As the sun peers through the cathedral’s 52 stained glass windows, it gives the Spanish Renaissance Revival-inspired interior an angelic aura.
It is home to two dozen paintings along with figures and statues originating from Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, particularly Peru. When the cathedral was completed in 1959, St. Cecilia’s was considered one of the largest cathedrals in the United States.
The cathedral has held many events throughout its history but its most prominent attraction is the Festival of Flowers. In its 38th season, the Festival of Flowers is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors to admire more than 20 floral arrangements.
“We have people that come from Lincoln, Kearney, and Iowa,” said James Pierson, director of the flower festival and long-time florist. “It’s a big deal, and we also have a lot of music going on during the festival. Every hour there’s a different musical group.”
To prepare for a successful outcome, it takes about a month to get everything organized. Thousands of flowers are delivered from South America, California, Holland, and Belgium, some in ice to maintain their freshness. Many patrons and local sponsors also make this event possible. There are about 30 patrons, and major donors help fund the event. The festival gives designers from around the city an opportunity to showcase their phenomenal artwork to the community.
“Most of the designers have flower shops. Others may be interior designers, but they work with flowers. We have help from flower guilds from St. Wenceslaus Church, St. Patrick’s in Gretna, and our cathedral docents,” said Pierson. “It’s a big army.”
“In its 38th season, the Festival of Flowers is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors to admire more than 20 floral arrangements.”
In previous years, the cathedral has decided on a theme for its flower festival. However, Pierson decided to suspend that custom.
“The theme is kind of an issue,” said Pierson. “Because in that, you’re chasing a theme and trying to figure out how to make it relevant to the space you’re designing.”
Pierson believes the cathedral is beautiful enough and it has enough going on. He found that the designs are far nicer and more beautiful without a theme. And by rotating the designers, it’s a fresh look each time.
“I do have a mini theme going on this year,” he said. “The Catholic Church is doing a Eucharistic revival this year, so this is going to be sort of all about communion.”
Pierson also said that Metropolitan Community College is going to have a big presence this year. They’ll be taking up about six spaces in the cathedral for their arrangements. They’re even going to incorporate some African fabric into their designs.
This year’s flower festival will open to patrons on Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, it will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Sunday, it will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Food will be served by the Lithuanian Bakery in the Cathedral Cultural Center.
Saint Cecilia Cathedral is located at 701 N. 40th St.
Xitlally Velasco is the Marketing and Public Relations Digital Content Curator at Lozafina. Send your tips and story ideas to office@lozafina.com