East Providence – Home of Portuguese Feasts

The Blackstone Valley is proud to include a fantastic diversity of ethnic populations that settled in this region to find a place to work and live. One such group are those of Portuguese descent. In particular, the community of East Providence is rich in Portuguese culture, which leads to the many feasts held at this time of the year, culminating in the ever popular Heritage Festival at the end of the month!

Churches, as well as social clubs, provided the Portuguese a sense of community and group identity and some served as mutual-aid societies. Later they became channels through which the Portuguese could carry on the traditions of their homeland. The best example of this is their Festa. The website Rooster Camisa writes, “The Aҫorean tradition of the Festa of the Holy Ghost is based on the miracle of a 14th century Queen Isabel of Portugal, who was a champion of the poor and helped organize ways to feed them when earthquakes, and subsequent famine, ravaged the Aҫores.” 

In the course of a year there will be many feasts that highlight their history, music, and delicious food such as cacoila (roasted pork), linguica, sardines, and malasadas (fried dough) that enrich not only the Portuguese community but also provide an opportunity for everyone to come and experience their culture. 

The biggest event is the 40th Annual East Providence Heritage Festival – a full-on extravaganza from Friday, July 29 – Sunday, July 31. This popular 3-day event features live music, food & beverage, arts & crafts, and most importantly pays tribute to East Providence’s multi-cultural heritage. This year’s festival will include a tribute to Ukraine on Saturday, July 30th with a performance of the Ukrainian National Anthem performed by Olin Langlois of Weymouth, MA. A singer, songwriter and violinist, Langlois has lived in Kiev and performed throughout Ukraine! Check it out if you are in the area! This is one not to be missed!!