Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 7, 2023 Imperio Mariense De Saugus 2023 The weekend rains didn’t keep the crowds away from this longtime Saugus festival that was imported from Portugal By Laura Eisener T he Imperio Mariense festival carried on July 1 and 2 despite the challenges of rainy weather. It was started in 1927, a custom that stems from the island of Santa Maria in the Azores of Portugal. Local Saugus families bought the land and held the festival every year except for a break during COVID, as many traditional gatherings did. People come from all over Massachusetts and other New England states. On Saturday, there was a concert with lively music and during the day a bouncy castle set up against the towering backdrop of trees entertained a lot of kids. Feasting was continuous, with the malassadas stand serving up pastries, such as rosas and malassadas (a very tasty version of fried dough), barbecue, ice cream, popcorn and lots of other treats being served through the weekend. After mass in the new chapel on Sunday, a procession bore impressive loaves of Portuguese sweet bread to the gazebo, where they were cut and given out to those waiting in line. Inside, there was a lunch of traditional Portuguese soup served at long tables. This was free, part of a tradition of giving back to the community, although donations were gratefully accepted. The event is put on by donors and volunteers, with a few businesses also contributing to the festivities. Many people who had been coming for years were excited to see the new chapel and the professional stage. Selectman Deb Panetta was among those who volunteered to serve lunch, and she was kept hopping for many hours! “Beautiful mass, delicious food, great entertainment, and wonderful people at the Portuguese Festival in Saugus. I was honored to take part in their parade and help out during the day,” Selectman Panetta said. “Everyone was given a free lunch consisting of a bread soup, with cabbage and meat. They also served red wine and ginger ale, and gave out Portuguese bread, which is my favorite,” she said. “Although the day was filled with heavy rain, that didn’t stop people from enjoying the day. Everyone was in good spirits and happy to take part in the Festival. Walter Sousa, the President of Imperio Mariense De Saugus, and Filomena Fitch, Vice President, do a phenomenal job coordinating this event. They make everyone feel like Imperio Mariense De Saugus President Walter Sousa, Vice President Filomena Fitch and Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta, who volunteered at the event. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Debra Panetta) family! Saugonian Rosemary Verderico grew up in the Fellsway neighborhood and was at the event on Sunday with a friend from her present neighborhood near Saugus Center. Rosemary said she would always attend the event as a child, although the festival does not seem to be well known in Saugus outside the The top of the new chapel building could be seen above the heads of revelers at Imperio Mariense on July 1 and 2. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) A procession with music brought the bread loaves from the chapel to the gazebo, where it was sliced and served to the crowd. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) Fellsway area. Drenching rain at several points, especially on Sunday, left a few of the celebrants drenched, but it didn’t dampen their spirits. The doors of the chapel were flung open for Sunday mass and a canopy erected to protect the congregation from the rain. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) Among the treats that could be purchased at the festival were malassadas (left) and rosas (right) at the Malassadas Stand. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) The bread arrives at the gazebo, topped with an illuminated crown. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener)
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