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Community Corner

Portuguese-American Festival Shines Through Gray Skies

The Portuguese American Club kicked off its 62nd annual barbecue.

Despite intermittent sprinkling of rain and the persistent gray skies, the 62nd Annual Portuguese American Festival and Barbecue still managed a solid turnout for the good food, music and games.

The festival is the local ’s main event and each year it helps raise money for the club so it is able to pay its bills and for upkeep on the club, according to longtime member Tony Sousa.

“We’ve been carrying on the tradition,” Sousa said.

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To raise the money, the club members, with much help from their wives, daughters, and other relatives, cook a variety of traditional Portuguese food to sell throughout the

Their most popular dish is their spicy blade meat sandwich, but they also serve favorites like bacalhau (dried and salted codfish) and chourico kabobs. They also serve more standard barbecue food such as burgers and fries as well as a variety of beverages in which to wash it all down.

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The live band Headshop, was on hand to play covers of various classic and modern rock tunes from bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the Foo Fighters.

The band is comprised of Attleboro residents Jeff Heroux, Joe Pavao, Jerome Provost, Kevin Wooding, John Arenburg and Randy Greene who have been playing together for two years. Together, the boys of Headshop have more than 20 years experience.

The band played at last year’s festival and has ties to the club as Pavao’s father is a member and Greene’s father is a member of the Portuguese-American Club in Taunton.

“We’re happy to be playing here again,” Greene said.

“We know there is always going to be a couple hundred people here,” Arenberg said.

The band was forced to move their set indoors due to the unpredictable weather Friday, but will be playing again Saturday. With clear skies in the forecast, Greene was certain they’d be able to play outside then.

Kids joined in the fun at the festival by jumpin and bouncing in an inflatable castle, while adults entertained themselves playing roulette.

If anyone missed out on Friday’s festivities there are still two more chances to join in during the weekend. The festival will run from noon until 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and from noon until 10 p.m. on Sunday. Headshop will be providing the entertainment Saturday and The Bob Travis Band will be performing Sunday. 

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