The Carlos Vieira Foundation is proud to host the 5th Annual San Joaquin Valley Portuguese Festival presented by PFSA, the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America!
This exciting event will be held at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock, CA on April 19 – 21, 2024! Entry to the Fairgrounds is free! The celebration is open for all to discover the heritage of the Portuguese people and honor their contributions to the San Joaquin Valley and the state of California.
Come immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions, delicious cuisine, and captivating music of Portugal while supporting a great cause, autism!
The festival kicks off on Friday, April 19th with Carnival rides by Butler Amusements, Bull on a Rope by Joe and Melissa Vaz, followed by a special performance by Rodrigo Leal and his full band in a tribute to his father, Roberto Leal! Gates open at 4:30pm on Friday.
Come back at 10am on Saturday for a Portuguese parade, cultural exhibit, Pickett Solar wine and cheese tasting with pairings by Vinhos Wine Lounge, and more. Vendors will be serving up mouthwatering food and showcasing various unique crafts and traditional Portuguese products. Enjoy live entertainment all day with philharmonic and folklore performances on the Simplot Stage and musical performances in the exhibit hall.
To celebrate the 5th annual event, RTP (Radio &Television Portugal) will join us from 12pm to 5pm to film a 5-hour special live show (similar to Good Morning America) from the festival grounds and transmitting all over the world!
End the night with us on the 51FIFTY stage with your favorite “Vavo”, Vavo Brito as our festival MC, along with performances by Sara Cruz, Ana Malhoa, and Jose Malhoa with his full band! Stay for the after-party with DJ Brown Sugar.
Come back on Sunday, April 21st to join us for a traditional Bodo de Leite (oxcart parade), followed by an animal auction, and of course the Portuguese Bloodless Bullfight in the Pacific Ag Rentals Arena! Fairgrounds gates open at 10am and arena gates open at 2pm. The bullfight starts at 4pm and will be followed by an after-party with DJ Marcos Shalom. Tickets for the bullfight arena are only $15.
This family-friendly event has something for everyone including Butler Amusement carnival rides all 3 days in the Pickett Solar Carnival Area. Bring your family and friends to this unforgettable event, where you can celebrate Portuguese culture, indulge in delicious food, create lasting memories, and support a great cause.
Remember, admission to the festival is free but helping families with autism is not! Donate at the gate to support the cause. All proceeds go directly towards helping local kids with autism through the Carlos Vieira Foundation’s Race for Autism grant program.
For vendor, sponsor, parade, entertainment, or other additional information, visit SJVportuguesefestival.com or call 209-394-1444. For more information about the Carlos Vieira Foundation, visit carlosvieirafoundation.org.
Link to last year's festival https://youtu.be/kpt7OUth9KU?si=qwWK_u840nguckI7.
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