Since 1886, even before Sausalito was incorporated – Sausalito’s Portuguese-American community has held an annual Festa do Espírito Santo, or Festival of the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost Sunday. The Festival honors both the Holy Spirit and the memory of Portugal’s Queen Isabel, who was known for her generosity and devotion to the poor.
The day includes a parade, complete with Queens from the IDESST Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center and sister halls in the Bay Area, a special Mass, a traditional lunch of “Sopas e Carne.”
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8:00 am — Arrive at Sausalito Hall.
8:15 am — Parade assembly in front of the Hall.
8:30 am — Parade departs for march to St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church (180 Harrison Ave.).
9:00 am — Mass at Star of the Sea Church.
10:00 am — Parade assembles and returns to IDESST Hall. After mass, parade procession departs the Church to march along Bridgeway, pausing briefly at the Praça de Cascais to play the national anthems of the United States and Portugal.
11:15 am — Ceremony assembles in front of the IDESST Hall to release the white dove, representing the Holy Spirit, and band to play the Festa hymn, “Alva Pomba” (“White Dove”). Afterwards, doors will be opened for lunch seating.
12:00 pm — Lunch will be served.
Queens and parade participants will be given identifying wristbands and receive preferential seating. Those without wristbands will be seated on a space-available basis and after all parade participants are accommodated.
1:15 pm to 1:45 pm — Lusitania Band of the North Bay performs.
WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US!
