FESTIVAL CONTINUES TO SHARE THE HERITAGE
Provincetown Portuguese Festival Celebration 2021

The announcement on our plans for this year are below but first, we invite you to get your 2021 Festival T-Shirts while supplies last. Plus, don’t forget to and bid on the original work of a Provincetown artist.

Marcey's Art Shack on MacMillan Pier
Thursday Friday, and Saturday, June 3rd through June 27th
Hours are 11:30am to 3:30pm

Festival Booth at Stop & Shop
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 3rd through June 19th
Hours are from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Festival Booth in Portuguese Square on Ryder Street
Thursday, June 24th: 3:00pm to Closing
Friday, June 25th: 10am to Closing
Saturday, June 26th: 10am to Closing
Sunday, June 27th: 10am to Closing

Supplies are limited due to COVID restrictions, Please Shop Early!

The annual Art Auction is taking bids by telephone for the beautiful painting of the F/V Victory II by local artist Derek Macara. There’s more information on our Facebook page or call Maureen at 508-246-6678. Starting bid is $1200 and winners will be notified by telephone on June 28, 2021.

From the Festival Team:

Please know that Festival Weekend takes the cooperation and planning of a committed team of volunteers who work all year long to make the event something special.

With a background of more than 800 total years of Provincetown heritage, the Festival Team continues its mission and works with town officials to share the spirit of a 72 year celebration the community and thousands of visitors enjoy annually during the last weekend in June.

As the country emerges from the pandemic, the Festival faces new challenges of balancing state and local regulations with a deep regard for the welfare of all who enjoy the events, music and food that Festival Weekend is known for. With the utmost regard for the welfare of our community, it’s certain the Festival and Blessing of the Fleet will be downsized again for 2021.
While the Festival Team remains committed to safety, we continue moving forward with cautious optimism that Provincetown can mindfully celebrate its Portuguese heritage and honor the Fleet this year.

To this end, the Festival is proud to offer a collection of our most popular features so everyone who loves Provincetown can connect with the traditions that we hold so dear.
First, we will decorate with flags through the center of town, Lopes Square and Portuguese Square during the month of June through the 4th of July. Next, that familiar flock of painted roosters will once again color the streets and MacMillan wharf.

The commemorative Booklet, a treasured keepsake, will be distributed for free and made available on our website. It’s filled with stories, photos and more that capture the spirit of Provincetown and preserves those memories forever.

Native son and talented artist Derek Macara has generously donated an original painting of the Victory II that is simply stunning. It will be auctioned off via telephone bidding after going on display at both the Seamen’s Bank branch on Commercial Street and the Red Inn further down.

That same image will be featured on the 2021 T-Shirt. They’ll be sold at a booth on MacMillan Pier starting in June and at Stop & Shop from Memorial Day weekend until Festival Weekend, running June 25, 26 and 27. Then you can stop by Portuguese Square to get yours when the booth moves to the corner of Ryder Street by Town Hall.

Finally, the boats will be Blessed on Sunday of Festival Weekend and the annual Mass at St. Peter’s Church starts at 10:30am. There’ll be no procession to the pier. Vessels will be blessed in a ceremony that continues the tradition in a quiet and respectful way.

Unfortunately, this year the Festival year will not offer live music or our popular food events at the Bas Relief like the Lobster Bake, Lions Club Food Court, etc. Same goes for the events at Motta Field including the BBQ. Instead we ask our friends to visit local establishments that have been so generous for so long. They rally behind us every year, we hope you will support them in return.

The Portuguese Festival Team has again been challenged to modify the traditional Festival and Blessing of the Fleet events into what is feasible under unknown circumstances. Hard choices have been made with the best intentions and we appreciate your understanding.

Next year will be the 75th Anniversary of the Blessing of the Fleet. Our plans are to make Festival Weekend the best celebration ever and look forward to Sharing The Heritage in exciting ways in 2022.
Sincerely,

The Festival Team