Portuguese festival kicks off

Scenes from last years festival.

The 29th annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet, a traditional Portuguese festival, will take place at the V&A Waterfront, Jetty 2, on Saturday and Sunday October 6 and 7.

Fishermen from the Portuguese community gather at this venue each year to partake in a traditional blessing ceremony for their fishing vessels before the fishing season.

After the formalities on the Sunday, the event explodes into a celebration of eating, drinking and dancing.

This year the event is hosted on Jetty 2 of the V&A Waterfront, stationed opposite the Table Bay Hotel.

Entry is R30 each, and R20 for pensioners and children under 12.

Saturday’s festivities kick off at noon, with a host of traditional Portuguese food stalls, the motorcycle parade by The Amigos Portugueses, and live entertainment from Manuel Escóricio and Sam Roy, presenter of the All 80s Show on Smile 90.4 FM.

The Sunday starts off with a traditional holy mass ceremony to bless the fishing vessels at 10am, followed by the boat procession.

This will be followed by live entertainment, including Kanimambo, traditional Portuguese folk dancing, food stalls and full cash bar open until the evening – once again with Manuel Escóricio and Sam Roy.

For more details, call 083 645 2070 or 072 290 6797.