UPDATED 6/05/2009
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Official Portugal Day 2009 Program provided by IronboundNewark.com
Saturday, June 6
12:00pm – Flag raising ceremony at City Hall, Newark
7:00pm – Folkloric festival at Independence Park next to El Pastor Restaurant, Newark. The best Rancho (Portuguese folkloric dance) groups in New Jersey and neighboring states will be performing.
Sunday, June 7
7:00pm – Saint Antonio Feast at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Newark
Monday, June 8
6:00pm – Inauguration of the Art Exposition at Sport Club Portugues, Newark.
The exhibit will be open to the public everyday from 5pm-10pm and will run through June 13. There will be numerous plastic artists participating.
6:00pm – Start of the Soccer Tournament “Friendship Cup 2009″ simultaneously at Independence Park and Riverbank Park. Games will take place Monday-Wednesday from 6pm-9pm through June 10. The tournament’s commissioners are Jose Salgado, John Soares, Francisco Abreu e Carlos Pais.
Tuesday, June 9
11:00am – Portugal Day of Newark 2009 Golf Tournament at High Bridge Hills Golf Club. At 5pm, or following the tournament, dinner will be served and awards will be distributed. The tournament’s commissioners are Carlos Couto, Jose Pimentel, and Artur Batista.
Wednesday, June 10
Last day of soccer tournament at Independence and Riverbank Parks.
Thursday, June 11
8:00pm – Traditional Catholic Thanksgiving Mass in honor of Portugal at Sacred Heart Basilica, Newark. Various types of New Jersey figures and members of Portuguese associations will be attending.
Friday, June 12
7:00pm – Portugal Day Newark 30th Anniversary Gala at the Robert Treat Hotel.
8:00pm – New York’s Empire State Building will display the colors of the Portuguese flag until June 14.
Saturday, June 13
12:00pm – Ferry Street closes to vehicular traffic.
2:00pm – Start of the popular feast on Ferry Street – Portugal Avenue – with lots of music, folkloric, and much more.
7:30pm – Parade consisting of the Our Lady of Fatima Church Band and Zes Pereiras from Baiao, Portugal. Portuguese folklore dancers (“Rancho”), the Pauliteiros de Miranda (Performance by men in traditional garb armed with sticks), Samba music (Brazilian), and “Os Irmãos Justino.”
8:00pm – Music Festival on Ferry Street
11:30pm – Fireworks at Riverbank Park
Sunday, June 14
8:00am – The big day, wow! Ferry Street is closed to vehicular traffic.
9:00am – Races on Ferry Street. Starts near Iberia Restaurant on Ferry and Prospect Street. There is a 5K race, a one mile race and a children’s race. The race is organized by the “Den of Lions” (Lar dos Leoes), lead by Carlos Martins.
12:00pm – Reception for Honored Guests at Sport Clube Portugues, Newark.
2:30pm – National Anthems at Five Corners (Intersection of Ferry Street and Wilson Avenue)
3:00pm – Parade begins!
5:30pm – The festivities continue until 11:00pm!
Questions about the above should be directed to the foundation behind it:
Bernardino Coutinho Foundation Inc
417 Chestnut Street
Newark, NJ 07105
973.344.0123
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
This all sounds wonderful but how does one find and attend it without any address or map?
google.com
Ferry st. newark , nj.
Once you get off the train station, you are there!
the street is very long, so make sure you walk all the way so you can enjoy eberything it offers.
I have been going to the festival for the past 5 years, and everytime we go, we have a blast!
this is absolutely wrong why would u change the day of the feast why couldn’t you have just made it the weekend right before the actual day . i mean my brother is getting married June 13 2009 he planned this wedding 2 years ago and specifically chose June 3 to avoid Portugal day. now out of nowhere u change the day that’s ridiculous . if you have anything to say email me at
richienvania4evr@hotmail.com
Does anybody know who the Honored Guests are for this year?
How do I get info about the golf outing? I’m sure its too late for this years outing but I would like to get in for next year.
Can anyone tell me who I can contact to be apart of the Portugal Day 2009 Golf Tournament. There is no info on the High Bridge Hills Golf Club event calendar at all about this tournament. Thank You.
I was really excited to hear that the Empire State Building would be showcasing the Portuguese colors on June 12-14th, but when I checked the ESB website the lighting schedule does not mention that… I hope that the ESB website is wrong and we will see the Portuguese colors on the Empire State Building.
what’s the name of the train station, at the end of Ferry Street, that i should come into?
Penn Station – Newark
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=newark+penn+station&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us&ei=p2wtSpSVL4TEM97jmdgJ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1
Anyone have feelings on which day is better Saturday or Sunday? And what is in the Sunday parade? They don’t specifically list a description like the Saturday parade.
We’re planning on coming for the 5k run and hoped to stay for a little while to eat some food and walk the street. Is there a long wait between the conclusion of the run and the beginning of festivities? When do the vendors show up? We’re hoping not to have to stand around for hours before things get going and we also want to avoid the heavier nighttime crowds as we’re family folk. Thanks.
Which is the best day to go Saturday or Sunday?? Which portuguese singers will be there??
I would like to get more information regarding this race like where to go if i want to participate or if there is any fee. Please replay asap
The best day to attend is the week before or after. This feast has become nothing more then a drunkfest, with barely any Portuguese flavor. Also by going the weeks prior or after, you won’t be subjected to the Restaurant owners gouging prices by +50% and more. Also, if you are with an attractive lady get ready for the catcalls and insults. I remember it when it was a great feast, but sadly, no longer!
Will there be any events going on in the streets on Friday night? I’m looking to go Friday night with some friends and I’m wondering if there will be anything to do that night that is similar to the feast activities that will take place on Ferry Street similar to Saturday.
I like how the only respond is to the questions about Newark Penn Station and how to get to the fest. I along with others had questions about activities going on this week, and not a peep from you. It would be nice to hear back from you.
This event may be thrown under the guise of Portuguese pride but it is an appalling display of humanity at its worst. Drunks, people dressed more appropriately for a whore house than a ethnic festival, complete disregard for children and elderly and total disrespect for local residents and business owners.
The City of Newark must stop this event.
Thing have changed over the thirty years this festival has take place. What this festival has become is not what it was originally intended to be.
Mike is right, this parade is a whore house and a disrespect to the local community and Portuguese people for that matter, considering a majority of the people in the parade are NOT Portuguese but Hispanic (Puerto Ricans & Mexicans) or Brazilian that come and cause a riot.
Are there any pictures available of the kiddie dash or the 1 mile race from Sunday?