The region’s Portuguese-American community will celebrate its heritage with music, dance, cuisine, and family fun at the 15th annual Portuguese Cultural Festival in Touro Park on Sunday, Aug. 12 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Portuguese American Vasco de Gama Holy Ghost Society and NewportFed, the festival offers the community a chance to celebrate the cultural contributions made by the many Americans of Portuguese descent whose families have lived in Southeastern New England for generations.
The festival, which is free and open to the public, will benefit the endeavors within the organization and other charities and groups sponsored by the Vasco de Gama Society, a fraternal organization founded in Newport over 100 years ago.
A number of locally based Portuguese cultural groups will perform authentic music and folk dances in traditional costume during the six-hour festival. In addition to the music and dance, children will enjoy amusements such as face painting, craft activities and more.
This year, the festival will include an expanded “Food Court” area with traditional items and an array of freshly made Portuguese deserts.
A shuttle service to Touro Park will be provided from the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost Society’s headquarters at Fenner Hall on Fenner Ave. in Newport. Free parking will be available around that site. Touro Park is located across from the Newport Art Museum on Bellevue Ave. For more information, call 418-0283.
