Launches, grilled sardines, and a dance with Toy, this is how the Paio Pires festivities will be
In total, there will be five days of entertainment with free concerts, popular traditions, and, of course, plenty of gastronomy.
The popular festivities will arrive in the parish of Aldeia de Paio Pires from July 31 to August 4, with the traditional launches, a procession in honor of Our Lady of the Annunciation, the Night of Grilled Sardines, and the Maria Basílio Folklore Festival. In other parishes, concerts are the main attraction, but here the popular tradition prevails, especially regarding the religious parades directly linked to the date and the celebration of the Aldeia de Paio Pires festivities.
The first day, July 31, will be reserved for a large free show by Toy, at 10 PM, on Rua Machado dos Santos, where the main stage of the event will be. Before that, at 9 PM, you can head to the launch area and the festival streets to see the parade of the Percussion Orchestra Tocá Rufar. The day will close with the first launch of the festivities at Avenida José António Rodrigues around midnight.
The following day, the festivities will start at 10 PM with a concert by Dados Viciados, who will pay tribute to the classic Portuguese rock band Xutos & Pontapés, on the main stage. Around midnight, the launches will take place again.
On August 2, the program will start earlier, at 9:30 PM, with a Confrontation with History — Bull Run, at the Multiusos Arena of Paio Pires. Shortly after, on the main stage, Sónia Costa will present the Tina Turner Show, where she will perform songs from the international diva. This time, the launches will start at 2 AM.
The event will begin at 10 AM on August 3, Saturday, with a break between 11:15 AM and noon. At this time, the classic launches will begin, and the celebrations will resume with activities at 5 PM with equestrian performances. This day will also be marked by the Night of Grilled Sardines, starting at 8 PM.
Still on the same day, at 9 PM, various folklore groups will parade through the festival streets, ending up on the main stage with a festival organized by the Folklore Group Estrelinhas do Sul (Seixal), the Regional Ranch of Paredes (Porto), the Folkloric Ranch Rio Novo do Príncipe (Aveiro), and the Folkloric Ranch Juventude Amiga dos Conqueiros (Leiria). At the same time, the Charanga O Cavalinho will take place in the launch area. Speaking of launches, know that on this day they start at 1 AM.
To conclude the festivities, on August 4, at 5 PM, there will be a Procession in honor of Our Lady of the Annunciation through the streets of Aldeia de Paio Pires. After finalizing the religious aspect, the events will resume only at 9:30 PM with a demonstration of cut-out artists, by Arte y Pasion at the Multiusos Arena of Paio Pires. Simultaneously, there will be a performance on the main stage by the Alentejo Coral Group Lírio Roxo.
To close out, Os Banza will enliven the venue at 10 PM, while the launches will take place at the same time on the village streets. On August 14, the Popular Festivals of Amora will begin, so don’t worry, more parties, dancing, food, and drink will arrive soon with free entry.