Portuguese Festa set for May 18-19

The annual Portuguese Festa is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19.

The crowning, linguica and dance is Saturday at 8 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Parish Hall. On Sunday is the parade that begins at 9:30 a.m. The parade begins at the West End building and ends at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

The sopas and auction begin at noon at the St. Patrick’s Parish Hall.

QUEEN PROFILES:

Bonnie Faye Boehm

 

Bonnie Faye Boehm: Mini Queen

Hi, my name is Bonnie Faye Boehm and I am 5 years old.

My dad is Austin Boehm and my mom is Mimi Boehm. I have a big sister who I love named Lila Mae.

I like princesses and cats. My favorite color is pink. I love to do gymnastics, play with my friends, and spend time with all my animals. I love flowers.

My Portuguese heritage comes from my great-great-grandfather Antonio Damazio. He came to the United States from Portugal when he was 19 years old. His wife, my great-great-grandmother Edith, came from the Azores. Their son, John Souza Damazio lived in Fallon for 40 years.

 I’m really excited to be this year’s Mini Queen.

Alice Chambers

 

Alice Chambers: Junior Portuguese Queen

I come from a longline of Souzas on my mom’s side of the family.

My mom, Kayli Souza, and my aunt, Laicee Souza, were both involved in the Festa growing up. My grandma, Cathy Souza, was queen in 1984, and her sisters were in prior years.

My great-grandpa William (Bill) Souza was also involved with the Festa for years. My cousin Jordan is in this year’s Sr. Quart and all three of my brothers are in the quarts guard.

We come from the Azores islands. I am fifth-generation Portuguese-American, and this is my fourth year to participate in the Festa. I am 10, almost 11 years old, and I am looking forward to staging middle school next year and taking art.

Jordan Escobar Lipnicki

 

Jordan Escobar Lipnicki: Senior Queen

My name is Jordan Escobar Lipnicki. I am 16 years old and a second-generation Portuguese queen. I was 6 years old when I started participating in the Portuguese Festa. My mother, Jennifer Escobar, was the queen in 2002. My brother, Toby Escobar, has been participating since 2010. Melinda and David Lipnicki, my other siblings, have been participating for three years. My aunt, Renee Escobar, was the queen in 1999. My cousins, Nikko and Tayven Martinez, have been participating in the festa as guards since 2019. My aunt, Cyndi Lipnicki, was the queen in 1991. That same year, my father, David Lipnicki, was a guard, and my aunt, Tina Lipnicki, was a princess. My grandfather on my mom's side is Carlos Escobar. Him and his wife, Catherine Escobar, have been participating in the festa since 1995. He was born in Angola, Africa. His mother, Filamena Escobar, was born in Lisbon, Portugal. His father, Augusto Escobar, was born on the Azores island. They came to the U.S. when my grandfather was 10 years old. In 1978, my grandfather met my grandmother, Catherine Escobar, in San Leandaro. They got married in 1980 before moving to Fallon in 1986. My great grandparents on my father's side are Louis and Nancy Gomes. Louis Gomes was born in Fallon in 1924. When he was 7 years old, his family moved back to Flores to help take care of the family. In 1954, my grandmother, Melody Lipnicki, was born, carrying on our Portuguese heritage.