Provincetown's 2013 Portuguese Festival is a Big Hit Despite a Bit of Rain

Giant puppets loom above the heads
of the crowds gathering for the parade
on Commercial Street.

Provincetown's 2013 Portuguese Festival is underway, and a roaring success, as usual, despite threatening weather. I've met people from far and wide who have come for this wonderful annual event; some of them are participating as members of marching bands, comedy troupes, or musical groups performing on stage at Portuguese Square on Ryder Street or under the big tent that takes up most of the little park in front of the Bas Relief plaque on Bradford Street, across from Town Hall. Many are here with Portuguese dance troupes that come every year from all over the New England area and beyond to perform on the streets and in the festival parade, held yesterday afternoon on Commercial Street despite looming rain clouds.
Thousands of others come to enjoy these events along with all the Portuguese food, parties, entertainment, kids events, and other festivities to be found all over town during the festival, which continues through this evening. There are still many events to be enjoyed today, including food and entertainment in various spots around the town. Click here for Portuguese Festival schedule.

Young Portuguese dancers perform in a few drops of rain.

Dancers perform at Portuguese Square, even with occasional rain drops, and a large crowd of spectators gathers as several groups perform on the street.
As the rain tapered off, people took their places all along Commercial Street to watch the parade, with the sun breaking through the clouds shortly before the parade reached the center of town, with dancers and bands performing near Town Hall and in other spots all along the parade route.

The rooster is a Portuguese symbol, found in the parade.

Todays events will include the Fishermen's Mass, the procession to the pier, and the 66th Blessing of the Fleet. Food will be found on the pier, there will be a band concert, and there are many other events to enjoy throughout the day. Click the link above to find the schedule or stop by the festival information booth at the corner of Ryder and Commercial Streets. Look for a bright yellow little structure decorated with a little red and green, and Portuguese flags. Buy souvenir T-shirts there to support the festival.

Folks from Connecticut enjoy some Portuguese food.

These folks didn't know they were arriving right in the middle of Provincetown's annual Portuguese Festival. They are from New Haven, Connecticut, and just happened into town on a visit to the tip of Cape Cod.
They found the food tent, and enjoyed a meal of  Chouriço, porco, and Portuguese rice. Be sure and wander down to the pier yourself today and enjoy the Blessing of the Fleet, dancers in costume, music, and of course, wonderful Portuguese food. Visit the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum for a special exhibit on the  Provincetown fishing fleet of days gone by. There's a band concert at Town Hall at 4 PM and many other events, and nearly every event is free.
Happy Portuguese Festival!