Pismo Celebrates the 54th Annual St. Anthony's Festival

54th Annual St. Anthony's Celebration
Parade (courtesy of Santa Maria Times) 

Portuguese descendents flocked from the San Joaquin Valley to Pismo Beach this weekend for the 54th Annual St. Anthony's Celebration. The Portuguese “festa,” which recognizes St. Anthony of Padua in Portugal, includes the traditional procession of altars and queens and their courts from near Pismo Pier through the downtown streets to St. Paul the Apostle Church on Bello Street, where Mass was celebrated.

After Mass, the festivities proceeded to the festa grounds at the end of the street, where sopas ( beef and cabbage stew with bread)  was served to any and all who showed up.

The celebration continues today with a dance, the crowning of this year’s queen, and a fundraising auction.

St. Anthony was born 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal. He was a Franciscan monk and orator. He possessed in an eminent degree all the good qualities that characterize an eloquent preacher: a loud and clear voice, a winning countenance, wonderful memory, and profound learning, to which were added from on high the spirit of prophecy and an extraordinary gift of miracles. He is the patron saint of sailors, pregnant women, amputees and fishermen as well as the poor. (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01556a.htm)

Be sure to check out the festivities today, or come back August of 2011 to witness this beautiful celebration.

And when you return next year, be sure to stay at Valentina Inn & Villas in Pismo Beach, CA, located on Price Street, less than two blocks from the beach. Valentina's spacious suites are perfect for large groups of family and friends, and also make for the perfect romantic getaway.

Reserve today at ValentinaPismoBeach.com.

~ValentinaPismoBeach.com