JANUARY 15 – FESTIVAL OF SANTO AMARO in Alfeizerão.
They say that there are more than three hundred these festivities in honor of Senhor Santo Amaro. Strangers came from all the lands around here to pay in wax the promises made to the Saint. From Nazaré came groups of people on foot on pilgrimage and later in tour vans. It was a pleasure to see them dressed up – the women with the seven skirts, the blouses with large lace on the sleeves, scarves on their heads, the beautiful embroidered aprons and the patent slippers. They in their Scotsman shirts and surrobeco pants, wearing leather clogs and wooden soles. They wore wool caps on their heads and sometimes wore the brown burel coat, with wide sleeves and a peaked hood, the length of which reached to their ankles. But there were many more attractions… The Alvorada de 100 shots, the Ti Rafael “Pifre” tent, the Ti António Carreira tent with the roasted chicken (which was only eaten on feast days), the Ti Hermínio with the Tiro tent and cotton candy, the pine nuts vendors, the photographer “à la Minute” and the raffles at the Quermesse. Everything was beautiful, everything made us dream for a whole year – even the dress or new shoes that were only available for the Santo Amaro Festival. Over the years, everything has changed, the time has passed when there were Carousel Tracks, bumper cars, the Poço da Morte and famous Monumental Balls throughout the region. But everything has changed, now all that remains is the tradition with the Vendeiras dos Pinhoes, the Farturas and Algodão Doce and the Barraca/Restaurante that continues to have the best roast chicken in the region.
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary -1st Sunday of September in Alfeizerão.
The story goes that it began to be carried out in 1923, for Thanksgiving to Our Lady of the Rosary, after having suffered a heartbreak that led José Augusto da Pola to almost despair. It was in the temple of his parish that he regained new strength and there he conceived of holding a Feast. He was only 15 years old, so he invited other countrymen and everything came true as he had envisioned. After the expenses incurred and verified, the alms obtained a positive balance of 600$00, which was spent on the conservation of the temple. In the following years the PARTY/FAIR took place on the same day but then thanks were made by the Cattle Breeders (who held demonstrations and contests for the best Animals). Also the Embarcadiços who elected Nª Senhora do Rosário as Patroness of the Seafarers of Our Parish, contributed to the help and organization of the party, until recently it was these devotees who took the litter in the Procession. The years went by and everything changed and these traditions have been transformed into other attractions - Bicycle Races, Gymkhanas, Balls, Musical Performances, sales of Food and Drinks, etc.
It was on June 21, 2011 that the FESTIVAL OF THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF THE REELEVATION OF ALFEIZERÃO TO VILA began - there were History Meetings with several speakers, a walking tour with explanation of the places visited, an equestrian tour, screening of old cinema with actress Maria Domingas , born in Alfeizerão, representation of Theatre, BTT, having ended with a representation of an Old Market with representation of all the Places of the Parish selling their vegetables, chickens and rabbits, sheep sellers, food and drinks. Spontaneous musical entertainment with concertinas, accordions and castanets. Care was taken to ensure that all the participants were dressed at the time and not to use modern items that could harm their sensitivity.
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary – 2nd and 3rd of February at CASAL DO PARDO. It was with the formation of a team of friends that the construction of the Chapel began and soon after, the Annual Feast in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary began.
FESTIVAL OF OUR LADY OF FÁTIMA – takes place on the 1st weekend of May at CASAL VELHO. It began to take place after the construction of the Church in the place.
PARTY IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF HEALTH – MACALHONA.
PARTY IN HONOR OF SANTA QUITÉRIA – on the last Sunday of August – at VALADO in SANTA QUITÉRIA
The Popular Saints have also been marked in various places in the parish (between 2013 and 2019) with the organization of popular marches in Alfeizerão, Casal Velho, Casal Pardo and Macalhona, in joyful festive processions tinged with colors and music.
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