The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to the annual Union County Portuguese Flag Raising Ceremony in commemoration of the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Communities. The event will take place on Thursday, May 30th at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. The event is free for all to attend.
“As we join together to we raise the Portuguese flag, we celebrate the rich cultural heritage and the invaluable contributions of our Portuguese community,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Their hard work and dedication have been instrumental to the diversity and contributions to Union County, and we are honored to recognize and celebrate their enduring legacy.”
The event is being co-sponsored by the Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States (PALCUS). PALCUS is a national non-profit based in the Washington D.C. area with a defined mission to be the national voice that advocates for and promotes the advancement of the Portuguese-American community economically, professionally, culturally and politically.
“New Jersey is home to nearly 80,000 individuals of Portuguese descent, with approximately 20,000 residing in Union County,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados. “As a Commissioner of Portuguese descent, I take great pride in celebrating the significant contributions of this vibrant and industrious community to our county over the years. I am excited to once again raise the Portuguese flag over the County Seat and I look forward to seeing all of our residents and visitors there.”
The flag-raising will include a short speaking program with welcome remarks from Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, an invocation by Father Nuno Rocha from Our Lady of Fatima, and remarks by Commissioner Sergio Granados, Katherine Soares Chair, PALCUS and Carla Rodrigues DaSilva, Conselheira das Comunidades Portuguesas de NJ. In closing, will be the singing of both National Anthems: “The Star Spangled Banner” as well as “A Portuguesa,” the national anthem of Portugal, sung by Soloist Elyana Barroqueiro of the Academy for Performing Arts in Scotch Plains.
“As the sole national organization representing Portuguese-Americans, PALCUS deeply values local initiatives that celebrate and promote Portuguese culture,” said Katherine S. Soares, Chair, Board of Directors, PALCUS. “We are honored to co-sponsor this annual flag raising once again, as it highlights the contributions and achievements of the Portuguese-American community in Union County. PALCUS wishes a Feliz Dia de Portugal to everyone!”
Stay tuned for more Portugal Day festivities around Union County with:
May 31st at 7pm – the City of Elizabeth Flag Raising, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ
June 2nd at 2:00 p.m. – The Elizabeth Portugal Day Parade, starting at Union Square on Elizabeth Avenue & ending at the Portuguese Instructive Social Club on Grove Street in Elizabeth. The parade will feature marching bands, folklore dancing groups & decorated floats.
June 10th at 7pm –Portuguese American Civic Association (PACA) of Union Flag Raising, Town Hall, 1976 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ
Friday June 28th from 6pm to 11pm & Saturday, June 29th from 12pm to 11pm – PACA of Union – Dia de Portugal, located at 1034 Jeanette Avenue in Union
For more information, please contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator at (908) 527-4388 or via email at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org.