Day of Portugal in Fall River kicks of June 7

FALL RIVER — The Day of Portugal festivities in Fall River actually hover over the official Day of Portugal this year. Held a week earlier than in the past few years, Day of Portugal runs June 7 through June 10 at the Gates of the City.

This year, the lineup of entertainers is top notch, especially with Santamaria, a hugely popular band from Portugal that appeals to all ages headlining on Saturday night, said Floriano Cabral, organizer of Day of Portugal in Fall River with committee members Kevin Santos, Kevin DaPonte, Tony Rodrigues, Paul Rodrigues, Mike Lauro, John Gonsalves and Tim Cabral.

The festival gets bigger and better every year with more and more people coming from outside Fall River to attend, said Cabral, who also founded the International Portuguese Music Awards that are held annually in New Bedford. He estimated 20,000 people attended last year’s Day of Portugal festivities, over the multiple days combined.

“It’s a family event that’s a lot of fun and it’s a good way to get to know our culture a little better,” said Cabral.

Originally, they moved the festival ahead a week with the expectation that the president of Portugal would be stopping in to Fall River on a visit to the state’s Day of Portugal in Boston. But recently, they learned he would not be able to, said Cabral.

THURSDAY: Day of Portugal in Fall River kicks off on Thursday night with a ticketed event (tickets can be purchased at the gate) showcasing food from more than a dozen area restaurants that donate to the fundraiser for the festival. Attendees that night can enjoy a live band (Get Lucky) and sample a variety of Portuguese fare. A fundraiser for the Day of Portugal festivities, admission costs $15 and there will also be a cash bar.

As in past years, there will be a large pavilion with fare from numerous restaurants to sample as part of the entrance fee on Thursday. The 90-by-40-foot JCB Homeland Pavilion will be in place throughout the next three days of the festival as well.

A new aspect of Day of Portugal this year is a $1 entrance stamp (for each day) for those who want to purchased alcoholic beverages to offset the cost of police security details, said Cabral.

FRIDAY: After a brief opening ceremony on Friday at 6 p.m., the Day of Portugal Festivities get under way with music by a DJ, followed by the New Bedford-based Edge Band playing top 40 and Portuguese music. The popular Canada-based Starlight band with lead singer Tony Mello rounds out the night of entertainment.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration of Portuguese culture without Portuguese food. Throughout the weekend there will be various offerings in the food court such as malassadas, caciola, barbecued chicken and sardines, as well as the Avo’s Feast food truck, said Cabral.

SATURDAY: Day of Portugal opens at noon on Saturday with the food court ready to serve up Portuguese fare. A DJ will be playing music in the afternoon. At 6 p.m., Our Lady of Light Philharmonic Band will kick off the live entertainment. Our Lady of Light will have male and female singers accompanying the band this year, said Cabral. David DeMelo, a popular act out of New Hampshire, takes the stage at 8 p.m. The international band Santamaria will headline the night of music starting at 9:30 p.m. performing the band’s signature fusion of EuroDance, pop and reggae music. Santamaria formed in 1998 and over the years the band has brought a modern touch to Portuguese music, in the process producing platinum-selling albums. The current lineup is Filipa Lemos, Luis Marante, Tony Lemos, Lucas Jr., Magda Monteiro and Maria João.

The fun goes well into the night on Saturday with a DJ after party in the pavilion running from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

SUNDAY: On Sunday, the Day of Portugal starts again at noon with the opening of the food court. From 1 to 3 p.m., a Kids Fair will feature an array of free activities such as facepainting, temporary tattoos, pony rides, a firetruck to look over and the New England Revolution mascot. The human statue, a marvel that was popular with kids last year, will be back again, said Cabral. The Kids Fair caps off with the Toe Jam Puppet Band performing at 3 p.m.

The live music for adults gets started at 5 p.m. with the St. Cecelia Philharmonic Band, followed at 6:30 by Eratoxica, a Boston-based rock band that has a huge following in this area, said Cabral.

Local music legend Marc Dennis, an internationally known performer, will round out the musical offerings on Sunday.

“Over the course of four days, we have pop music, rock and popular Portuguese acts. We’re always trying to innovate, but in a way that it’s not such a culture shock. At the same time, it’s also about bringing in younger generations with bands like Santamaria and the after party,” said Cabral.

Day of Portugal takes place at the Gates of the City, Ponta Delgada Boulevard.

Email Linda Murphy at lmurphy@heraldnews.com.