Cape Verdean Festival In Brooks Park On Saturday

 HARWICH – After its upstart performance at the World Cup, Cape Verde will be in the spotlight locally this weekend.

The eighth annual Cape Verdean Festival will be held in Brooks Park on Saturday, July 18. The festival celebrates the archipelago's independence from Portugal 51 years ago by commemorating its culture, history and contributions of a diaspora that began migrating to Southeastern Massachusetts in the early to mid-1800s.

 Cabo Verde is a collection of 10 islands located 350 miles into the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. Many Cape Verdeans came here while working on whaling ships based in New Bedford. The city became known as the Cape Verdean Ellis Island. 

 Harwich became a welcoming community, providing work in the cranberry and fishing industries. Over the years members of the Cape Verdean community here have made major contributions to the town, serving in many governmental capacities as well as business, education and community organizations.

 The festival provides the flavors of the archipelago from food to music and dance. There will be an antique car show and vendors will be displaying their wares. The John Miranda Band will perform and DJ Rito Lopes of Brockton will keep attendees moving throughout the day. MC Sweet Al will also be working from the bandstand.

 There will be guest speakers, and the festival will honor a long-time resident Cape Verdean who has made major contributions on Cape Cod. There will also be two scholarships awarded to Cape Verdean students who will be attending college in the fall. Those announcements will be made during the event.

 “There will be delicious dishes, colorful art, dance and community spirit,” said festival Treasurer Warren Miranda, “so come and enjoy the jagacida, a Cape Verdean dish.”

 The festival starts at noon and will go to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Sunday, July 19 is the rain date.