Portuguese Celebration

I had read in the community news that today was the 90th Annual Cayucos Portuguese Celebration. California's Central Coast and Central Valley owe some of their early history to the Portuguese people.

"The event is more than 700-years old and was brought to America by immigrants from the Azores. The celebration honors Queen Isabel of Potugal, who sold her jewelry during a time of drought and famine to help feel the poor. To show her love and humility, the popular queen would place her crown upon the head of a young village girl."

So today was the Parade of Queens and their courts down Ocean Avenue to St. Joseph's Catholic Church for an 11:00 a.m. Mass and the coronation of the two queens, senior and junior. Then the queens lead the parade back to the Vet's Hall for a Sopas lunch and then a fund-raising auction.

Our little place is just two-blocks from the church, so we walked down the hill, past the church to Ocean Avenue. The minute we heard the band's music, we looked at each other and said, "Here they come." When I saw the young girls all dressed in their fabulous gowns, rather wedding-like, my tears welled-up -- that is so ridiculous -- and tears dripped from my eyes! Mr. Fun said, "Hey face it, you love ceremony and pomp & circumstance." And I do!

We followed the parade into church, and even though we are not Catholic, we went to Mass with them. We thoroughly enjoyed the service and the priest's sermon was quite good -- down to earth and authentic. He praised the young girl, the queen, for her excellent reading of scripture and he spoke very encouraging words to her. I was very touched and impressed.

I was so glad we had remembered that today was parade day. We never cease to be amazed at all the celebrating this little coastal community enjoys.

Good night from California's Central Coast,
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol