The 1,758th birthday of St. Barbara, patron saint of miners, will be celebrated Dec. 4th in the Denver Petroleum Club by the Colorado Mining Association.
Other sponsors are the Denver Coal Club, the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum, The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute.
Jeff Desautels, attorney with Parcel, Mauro, Hutlin & Spaanstra, is this year's St. Barbara's Day chairman.
While the origin of St. Barbara and her identification with mining are "lost in antiquity", the legend of the Patron Saint of Mining was written in the seventyh century and mining communities throughout Europe, Latin and South America have long honored her for her protection of miners from accidents.
This year, sponsors are presenting Feast Day of St. Barbara to celebrate the proud tradition of mining and to commemorate the continuing memory of her.
The 1996 St. Barbara's Medal will be awarded to a person selected for outstanding contributions to Colorado mining during the past year.
Attendees don't have to be a member of the sponsoring organizations. Attendance is limited to 250, dinner is from 4:30-8 p.m.
Tickets are $20 per person. They are available from the Colorado Mining Association.
(303) 894-0536.