PROVINCETOWN – It will be a big weekend in Provincetown with the return of the annual Portuguese Festival and Blessing of the Fleet.
The celebrations kick off Thursday night with a restaurant showcase and musical performances near Portuguese Square. The four-day festival will feature live music, parades, dancing, games, food, and more. Event organizers say there are more than 30 activities planned, most of which are free.
The Festival culminates with the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony on Sunday. The Blessing of the Fleet has been a summer staple in Provincetown for seven decades.
“It’s the 70th Blessing of the Fleet, so the energy level is very high,” said Don Murphy, the festival’s committee chairman. “Everyone’s very proud of what’s happened and we want to make this a special year.”
Bishop Edgar da Cunha will preside over the Fishermen’s Mass, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Peter the Apostle Church. The Bishop will bless the vessels at 1 p.m.
Some of the weekend events include the Portuguese Soup Testing, which will be held from 12-3 p.m. on Friday at the Seaman’s Bank Tent near Portuguese Square. A Portuguese Food Court will be set up at the same location from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The Portuguese Festival Parade is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday on Commercial Street. It begins at the Harbor Hotel and ends at Franklin Street. Organizers advise attendees to arrive early.
The Provincetown Portuguese Festival traces its roots back to 1947. The celebration is organized by over 100 volunteers and is one of the largest event attractions in Provincetown each year.
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