Since 1886, even before Sausalito was incorporated, Sausalito’s Portuguese-American community has held an annual Festa do Divino Espírito Santo (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” – a traditional, aromatic soup with beef, cabbage and broth, served over bread.
To help us with planning, please RSVP if you plan to attend.
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9:45 am — Arrive at Sausalito Hall
10:15 am — Parade assembly in front of the Hall
10:30 am — Parade departs for march to St. Mary Star of the Sea Church (180 Harrison Ave.)
11:30 am — Mass starts
12:30 pm — Parade assembles to return to IDESST Hall, marching along Bridgeway and pausing briefly at the Praça de Cascais to play the national anthems of the United States and Portugal.
1:45 pm — 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.
2:00 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 after all parade participants are accommodated.
3:30 pm — Lusitania Band of the North Bay performs.
We hope to see you there!
Warm regards,
I.D.E.S.S.T. Directors
EVENT PARKING
Limited parking is available at the Liberty Ship parking lot with permit or on some local streets.
Park Maps_Permit_Festa 2024.pdf
