PORTUGUESE FESTIVAL IS A BLESSING
The Festival Team Makes Changes to Provincetown Portuguese Festival Celebration
After meeting regularly since November to plan the Festival’s more than 30 events, the
Festival Team was suddenly faced with the challenge of canceling and making changes
as the impact of the COVID-19 virus became visible. With a background of over 800
total years of Provincetown heritage the Festival Team was determined to review its
mission and work with town officials to continue the spirit of a 70 year celebration the
community and nearly 30,000 visitors have enjoyed annually during the last weekend in June.
The result is the downsizing of the celebration to the following activities:
• The Commemorative Booklet will continue to share the heritage of
Provincetown with articles and recognition of Festival sponsors. Go back through
past booklets right here on the website or print them out if you like!
•
Festival T-Shirts
Festival T-Shirts Are Heading To Provincetown!
The Festival T Shirts are on the way. For those who have ordered for Pick Up, they are available on Friday,
June 19th and Saturday, June 20th from 9 AM to Noon. The location is St. Peter's Parish Hall, 11 Prince Street in
Provincetown. Please wear your mask and respect social distancing when you pick up.
Date & Time:
Friday, June 19th from 9 AM to Noon
Saturday, June 20th from 9 AM to Noon
Pick Up Location:
St. Peter's Parish Hall, 11 Prince Street, Provincetown.
This year the T-Shirt features a painting of the vessel Joan and Tom by Thomas A. D. Watson.
Thanks to all who purchased their 2020 T-Shirts! See you at the Festival in 2021
Every year the art contributed by the artist is auctioned off during a special
Festival Art auction at the Red Inn in early May, with all proceeds going to the
Festival. This year, without an auction, the Joan and Tom painting was purchased
at a generous price exceeding any sale in previous years. It will hang in the
home of Charles and Susan Souza of Provincetown. Charles is a member of the
Festival Team.
• “The Blessing”, which became the Blessing of The Fleet and expanded to
include the Portuguese Festival will occur. Held on the last Sunday in June,
“The Blessing” begins with the Fishermen’s Mass, then fills the center of town and MacMillan Pier to capacity.
However, the event will be downsized and limited, making it similar to the original
Blessing of The Fleet of 1948. A time is yet to be determined but will be based on
town regulations. In essence, the “Blessing” will be the only Festival event; the boats will be blessed.
• Provincetown will be decorated with a goal of sharing a little bit of our heritage
but even more important, it will be an expression of gratitude to those men,
women and children working hard to keep our community safe and helping those
in need of care. The flags along Commercial St. in Lopes Sq. and Portuguese Sq.
will celebrate June Portuguese Heritage month. Portuguese roosters will appear in their usual places around town.
The Festival Team and volunteers are pleased to be able to offer this downsized version
of the Festival and in no way wants to interfere with local town and other agencies
guidelines for getting through these unfortunate times. We wish to be part of the
solution, and in doing so we will provide additional information to the public through our
digital media and other Festival announcements as it becomes available.
Be safe and we look forward to seeing you at Festival 2021.
The Festival Team
Susan Avellar
Beverly Ferreira
Chris King
David Mayo
Shannon Patrick
Mike Potenza
Michela Murphy
Nancy Silva
Rich Waldo
Liliana DeSousa
Maureen Joseph Hurst
Susan Leonard
Tim McNulty
Jeff Perry
Don Murphy
Paul Silva
Charles Souza
Provincetown welcomes people from around the world who come to celebrate Portuguese culture and our proud seafaring heritage at the annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet.
The Festival is four days of live music, dancing, parades, incredible food, games and more. With over 30 events and activities with many of them free, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Festival Weekend is capped off with The Blessing of The Fleet. After a procession through town, boats decked out in their finest parade past the Bishop and receive their Blessing for a safe & prosperous year.
People come from around the world come to celebrate Portuguese heritage and culture at the annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet.
The annual Festival is four days of live music, dancing, parades, incredible food, games and more. With over 30 mostly free activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Festival Weekend is capped off with The Blessing of The Fleet where boats decked out in their finest line up to receive the blessing for a safe & prosperous year. We invite you to join us June 24 - June 27, 2021 and share the heritage!
5:00pm - 10:00pm
Seamen’s Bank Compartilhe Na Nossa Mesa
Join Us For A Salute To America!
“Share Our Table”. A showcase of Provincetown’s best Restaurants and Music
held under the Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief.
Reservations are required. Limited seating. 508 246-6678
8:00pm - 10:00pm
Dance to the music of the world music
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Ken Silva Fishing Derby for Kids at MacMillan Pier. • FREE
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Portuguese Soup Tasting at the Bas Relief under the tent with music by the Dory Bar Blues Band
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Face Painting in Portuguese Square. • FREE
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Portuguese Writers & Poets read at the Harbor Lounge. Harbor Lounge is located at 359 Commercial street across from the Public Library. A free event!
2:30pm - 4:00pm
The Great Lobster Crate Race behind the Surf Club. • FREE
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Portuguese Square Music and Dancing. • FREE
5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Lobster Pot &
Cape Tip Seafood present the Lobster Bake under the Tent at the Bas
Relief. Beer and Wine Cash Bar • Oyster, Clam, Shrimp Cash Bar. Open seating, tickets at the door.
6:30pm - 10:00pm
Music for all ages on stage in Portuguese Square. • FREE
9:00pm - 1:00am
Homecoming Get Together with the Jug Band at Bubala's By The Sea Restaurant. 185 Commercial Street
10:00am - 12:00pm
Motta Family Kids Games & Cookout at Motta Field. • FREE
10:30am - 2:00pm
Portuguese Square Live Entertainment and Portuguese Dancers. • FREE
11:30am - 7:30pm
Lions Club Portuguese Food Court
under the tent at the Bas Relief. Beer and Wine Cash Bar.
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Portuguese Square -
The Toe Jam Puppet Band.
For kids of all ages • FREE
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Portuguese Festival Parade on Commercial Street from East End Snail Road to West End Franklin Street
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Portuguese Square Entertainment. • FREE
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Comedy by the Portuguese Kids in the
Lions Club Portuguese Food Court under the
Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. • FREE Beer and Wine cash bar.
7:30pm - 9:30pm
An early evening FADO concert at the Provincetown Town Hall. Handicap access elevator available behind Town Hall. Contributions appreciated.
9:00pm - 12:30am
Portuguese Square Dance to The Berkshire Bateria SAMBA Band.
Portuguese Square. • FREE
10:30am - 11:30am
Fishermen’s Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church.
Celebrant: Bishop Edgar M. DaCunha S.D.V.
11:30am - 12:30pm
Portuguese Dancers entertain in
Lopes Square while you wait for the Procession. • FREE
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Procession from St. Peter the Apostle Church to
MacMillan Pier.
12:00pm - 4:00pm
TASCA Portuguese Cafe on MacMillan Pier. Sample the taste of Portugal with a host of delicacies including a Beer & Wine cash bar!
1:00pm
72nd Blessing Of The Fleet
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Portuguese Music and Dancers at
MacMillan Pier. • FREE
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Traditional Band Concert by St. Anthony’s Band from Cambridge in front of
Town Hall. • FREE
4:00pm - 7:00pm
FINISH UP ANOTHER GREAT FESTIVAL with get-together at the Old Colony Top with Music by Ed Sheridan and Friends • FREE
The Festival wouldn't be possible without the 100's of volunteers who it all happen. Want to join our team or contribute? Give us a call or contact us today!