Members and helpers will meet in the Pershing County Community Center at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, to prepare food for the Festa Dinner. On Sunday, May 27, an outdoor procession will start at 10 a.m. from the Historic Lovelock Depot, continue to the Pershing County Courthouse and on to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, located at 1045 Franklin Ave. This is the same route as they had for the Annual Portuguese Festa last May.
For the past three years, they have been privileged to include in the Procession an old, Azorean tradition - wooden carts pulled by oxen. Once again these teams of oxen and their owners will be coming to Lovelock from the Central Valley of California. Be sure to come out to see the beauty of the oxen teams and listen to the unique sound of the wooden carts.
This is a special note to the community and to out-of-town visitors. If you would like to get a closer look at the oxen teams and visit with the owners, you do have that opportunity. After the procession reaches St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Mass begins, the teams of oxen do stay in front of the church until Mass is over. During this time you can admire the oxen and learn about the training involved by the owners and their families. You will also be able to have a closer look at the distinctive wooden carts.
Leading the procession will be Lucas Diarte, Anthony Gonsalves and Michael Gonsalves. They will carry the large American and Portuguese flags and the I.D.E.S. banner.
Senior Queen of the Festa this year, representing Queen Isabel of Portugal, is Melissa Gonsalves. Her attendants are Mariah Mancebo and Hailey Strom. Emily Snyder and McKenna Hertz will be Cape Bearers for the queen. Her guard-of-honor will be Chandler Hill, Victor Gonsalves, Tre Bronson and Vernon Santos-Davis. Lexie Strom is Junior Queen, with Daralyn Moura and Rosalyne Soares as her attendants. The Junior Cape Bearers will be Alyse Blanchard, Savannah Foley and Shya Bronson. Devin Moura will represent St. Anthony, patron Saint of Portugal. His attendants will be Timothy Fecht and Conner Fecht.
When the Procession reaches the front of the church, all present will pause at the base of the steps. At this time Madison Neal-Hertz will sing the Star Spangled Banner. The procession will then enter the church for the Festa Mass.
Father Edgar Villanueva will celebrate the Festa Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 27. Altar Server will be Cristian Diarte. After the Mass, the procession, including the oxen and carts, will continue by walking to the Community Center where at noon, a meal featuring the traditional Portuguese sopas will be served. Mary Quilici will be in charge of serving.
After the dinner there will be an auction of delicious baked goods and handmade items donated by members and friends of the society, as well as the traditional Portuguese Linguica and Portuguese Sweet Bread. John Aufdermaur will be the auctioneer, with Jeanne Anderson assisting with the auction items. Lisa Moura, Rene Childs, Virginia Rose and Lisa Booth will serve as cashiers.
During the afternoon, Bobbie Jeanne Aufdermaur will be overseeing the sale of raffle tickets for a Handmade Quilt, Birdhouse and a Gift Basket. Rosaline Mateas, Amy Blanchard and Darlene Moura are handling publicity for the weekend events.
They hope to see you at their 78th Annual Festa!
[[In-content Ad]]
