JUNE IS the month of the Popular Saints – Saint António, Saint João and Saint Pedro. Following the lively celebrations in Portimão on June 11, more parades will be lighting up the streets from 10pm onwards tonight (June 17), Sunday (19) and Monday (20) in various areas of the borough.
These traditional, colourful parades bring together more than 500 people, representing eight different Portimão ‘neighbourhoods’, each with their own theme linked to the patrimony, traditions and culture of the city. Included in the themes among others are ‘Gaivotas’ (seagulls), which can be seen flying over Alvor, ‘Algarve’s Arab origins’, ‘The Legend of the Almond Trees in Flower’, ‘Poppies’, a spring flower abundant in the fields around Mexilhoeira, ‘One-hour Instant Photo’ (remembering the souvenir photos of old), ‘The History of Portimão’ and ‘White Storks’, commonly found in the borough.
Tonight a parade can be seen in the Zona Ribeirinha de Alvor and, on Sunday, the fun will be coming to the Polidesportivo da Figueira. Closing the celebrations will be a grand parade in Praia da Rocha’s Avenida Tomás Cabreira on June 25.
Portimão Câmara is investing 120,000 euros in the event, which is a popular tourist attraction and an enjoyable occasion for residents alike.
Quarteira parades
Meanwhile, there will also be parades to enjoy in Quarteira on June 23 (celebrating Saint João) and on June 28 (Saint Pedro) in the Avenida Marginal. This year, there will be eight groups taking part in the parades with themes relating exclusively to the fishermen’s work at sea and the history of Quarteira.
The groups represent Centro Comunitário António Aleixo, Rua da Fonte, Rua da Cabine, Rua Bartolomeu Dias, Florinhas, Onda Jovem, Rua Gago Coutinho and Rua do Outeiro. Expect colourful costumes, music, dance and song. These are spectacles not to be missed!
