Celebrating Portugal Day 2024: A Festive Weekend in Harrison, NJ

The vibrant Portuguese-American community in Harrison, New Jersey, is gearing up for an exciting weekend of festivities to celebrate Portugal Day 2024. Set to take place on Saturday & Sunday June 1st and 2nd, the festivities will be hosted at the Centro Romeu Cascaes Portuguese American Community Center, located at 14 North Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. in Harrison, NJ.

The celebrations kick off on Saturday, June 1st, at noon and will continue until 10 p.m. at the Centro Romeu Cascaes Community Center. Attendees can expect a lively atmosphere filled with music, dancing, and delicious Portuguese cuisine. DJ Nokas will provide entertainment from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., ensuring that there's never a dull moment.

Students of Centro Romeu Cascaes Portuguese Language School

On Sunday, June 2nd, the festivities continue with a Portuguese Mass at Holy Cross Church starting at 9 a.m. This will be followed by a Portuguese Flag Raising Ceremony at approximately 10 a.m. in front of the Harrison Town Hall, located at 318 Harrison Avenue conveniently across the street from Holy Cross Church. Traditionally, the Rancho Camponese do Minho will perform traditional Portuguese dances at the Flag Raising Ceremony and later at the Centro Romeu Cascaes in the latter part of the afternoon. After the Flag raising ceremony, all are invited to join in the celebrations at the Centro Romeu Cascaes Community Center, where the festivities will run from 12 noon to 6 p.m. DJ Mario will take the stage from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., keeping the energy high and the crowd entertained.

One of the highlights of the Portugal Day celebrations is the opportunity to indulge in traditional Portuguese cuisine. While Sardines may not be everyone's cup of tea, they are packed with vitamins and nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium, and protein. If you're new to Sardines, don't worry! You can ask others for a quick tutorial on how to properly eat them. Alternatively, there will be options like Portuguese Barbecue Chicken or "Febras" (Pork Sandwiches) available by themselves or served in Portuguese buns with sautéed onions and peppers. And for those with lighter appetites, there's always the option of enjoying some French Fries.  Don’t ask for Hot Dogs or Hamburgers because they are not on the Menu.  That’s the 4^th of July, not Portugal Day food.

In addition to delicious food, there will be a variety of beverages to choose from, including bottled water, beer, wine, and Portuguese Sangria, similar to its Spanish counterpart.

President Delfim Sarabando (2nd from Left) With Volunteers

The President of the Centro Romeu Cascaes, Delfim Sarabando, and his dedicated team of members work hard to organize a family-oriented festival that honors Portugal Day.

Luis Camoes

Portugal Day is celebrated on June 10^th in Portugal in honor of Luis Camoes, one of Portugal’s most revered poets. It's a day of national pride and remembrance, honoring Portugal's rich cultural heritage and contributions to the world. Luis Camoes holds a special place in Portuguese history and culture, renowned for his epic poem Os Lusíadas. The day honors his contributions to literature and national identity and is celebrated throughout the world where the Portuguese explorers set foot and erected monuments and forts during a golden age of sea exploration. The Portuguese discovered two-thirds of the world and once controlled a vast empire and trade routes.

As the Portuguese community in Harrison comes together to celebrate Portugal Day 2024, it's a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future filled with unity, culture, and camaraderie. Join Harrison’s Portuguese-American community for a weekend of festivities, food, and fun as we celebrate all things Portuguese in the heart of Harrison, NJ.

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