Day of Portugal kicks off June 6 in Fall River

FALL RIVER — Portuguese multi-platinum selling band Santamaria will be returning to the Day of Portugal celebration in Fall River by popular demand. This year’s celebration will run June 6 through June 9 at Ponta Delgada Boulevard.

After jam-packing the Gates of the City plaza last year with about 15,000 people, according to event organizers’ estimates, Santamaria will be headlining once again on Saturday night.

“For the 5th year, we will try to put together a program that has expanded and hopefully will continue for the next few years,” said Floriano Cabral, speaking on behalf of the event’s organizing committee, which also includes João Gonçalves, Paul Rodrigues, Kevin Santos, Mike Louro, Kevin da Ponte, Tony Rodrigues and Tim Cabral.

The celebration will feature for the first time an Azorean Whale Boat Regatta on the Taunton River.

“The Whaling Regatta gives the celebration a different flavor. We have a wonderful waterfront and why not take advantage of it,” Cabral told O Jornal.

One of the main goals of the festival’s committee is not only to make the festival bigger and better every year but also to try to innovate, he added.

“This year, we were more ambitious, with different acts, showing the community a variety of bands that haven’t been in this area previously,” he said. “We hope the community responds well because it’s a huge investment in time and money to make an event this big happen.”

Cabral estimated that last year 30,000 people attended the four-day festival aimed at providing a venue “to remember our [Portuguese] roots, to get together and to have fun.”

The celebration will kick off on Thursday, June 6, with a Food Tasting Fundraiser showcasing food from area restaurants at the Empire Automotive Group Pavilion starting at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a live concert by Wild Nites. Admission costs $15 and tickets can be purchased at the door.

After the Portuguese and American flags are raised during an opening ceremony at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, the festivities will get under way with performances by the New Bedford-based Edge Band and Waterloo Abba Tribute Band. There will be a free after party at the Empire Automotive Group Pavilion after 11 p.m. with DJ Intoit.

Throughout the weekend festival goers can visit a large food court and savor many Portuguese favorites like bifanas, favas, linguiça sandwiches and malassadas. On Saturday, the food court will open at 1 p.m. so attendees can enjoy a variety of Portuguese fare.

The live entertainment will kick off at 5 p.m. with the performances of the Our Lady of Light Band and the Santa Cecilia Philharmonic Band, both of Fall River. Canadian singer Nelz will take the stage at 8 p.m. Santamaria will follow at 9:30 p.m., bringing their fusion of EuroDance, reggae and pop music.

With a remarkable career spanning two decades, the band is widely known for mega hits like “Eu sei, tu és,” “Falésia do amor,” “Não dá para viver sem ti,” and “É demais.”

The night will come to a close with an after party with DJ Melo Musik in the pavilion until 1 a.m.

Sunday’s festivities will start at 10 a.m. with the Azorean Whale Boat Regatta on the Taunton River. The free event will feature authentic Azorean whaleboats owned by the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society (AMHS). The committee is currently trying to add a presentation about whaling voyages that departed from Fall River to the program.

“We are still planning it, trying to see what day we can do it,” Cabral said.

The afternoon will be filled with a variety of free activities for the whole family, ranging from clown performances and face painting to soccer games, pony rides and fire trucks and police car demonstrations. There will be a concert for kids with Toe Jam Puppet Band at 3 p.m.

“Last year, we had over 400 kids and hope to have even more this year,” Cabral said. “Also, if Portugal makes it to the finals of the Confederation’s Cup, we will show it on the screen on Sunday.”

The evening live music will get started at 7 p.m. with the Great Escape Band.

Olavo Bilac, lead singer of the legendary Portuguese rock band Santos e Pecadores, will bring the celebration to a close.

For more information about the Day of Portugal celebration in Fall River, visit the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DOPFR2019/ or send an email to dayofportugalfr@yahoo.com