Portuguese Cultural Center
           of Danbury, Connecticut

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Portuguese Day 2003

                                              

The day started with a ceremony at John Perry Memorial honoring the late John Perry, who founded Portuguese Day in Danbury 50 years ago. After Mass, a parade started near City Hall, stopped at the steps of the library for speeches from Mayor Boughton and other US Govt. representatives. There was also a speech from  Jose Carlos DaCruz Almeida, Portuguese Consul General of New York. In his speech he told the crowd at the library. "This is the day we celebrate our culture, our people, our country,”   He also urged the Portuguese community, especially the younger members to carry on the Portuguese values. The parade then continued to Portuguese Square where there were speeches from Ray Boa (Portuguese Cultural Center President) and David Coelho( Portuguese Day Committee President). This year Norbert Lopes was the Portuguese  Day honorary. The festivities continued throughout the day at the Portuguese Cultural Center with food,two soccer games, performance by the Portuguese Cultural Center Choir, performances by various local folklore dance groups, and music by "International Sounds DJ".

Portuguese Day Church ceremony at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish

Sons of Portugal Marching Band start the Portuguese Day Parade

Sons of Portugal Marching band marching down Deer Hill Avenue

Children from the School of Folklore sit to listen to speechs outside of the Library

Portuguese Cultural Center Choir group

School of Folklore special procession was practiced on Palm Sundays in Portugal.

Scholarship group marching

Sons of Portugal Folklore Group dancing in the Portuguese Day Parade

Sons of Portugal Folklore Group dancing down West Street

Portugal Canta e Danca Folklore group dancing up Liberty Street

Sporting Club Group marching up Liberty street

Casa do Benfica Group marching

Santos Populares Float done by the Sons of Portugal Folklore Group

Padroeira de Portugal float done by Manuel Cipriano Folklore Group

Casa do Benfica float

Norbert Lopes is the Portuguese Day 2003 honorary

School of Folklore children dancing in the afternoon at the Portuguese Cultural Center

School of Folklore children

Manuel Cipriano Folklore group dancing at the Portuguese Cultural Center

Manuel Cipriano Folklore Group performing in the afternoon at the Portuguese Cultural Center

Manuel Cipriano Folklore Group performing in the afternoon at the Portuguese Cultural Center

Portugal Canta e Danca Folklore Group performing at the Portuguese Cultural Center

Portugal Canta e Danca Folklore Group afternoon performance

Portugal Canta e Danca Folklore Group performing

Sons of Portugal Folklore Group performing at the Portuguese Cultural Center

Sons of Portugal Folklore Group performing a dance called "Fandango"

There was also dancing in the afternoon.

Dance music was by the "International Sounds DJ"