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Festival of the Sea
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When:
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22 - 31 Aug 2008 (annual)
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Where:
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S. Joao do Estoril Beach
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| Costs: |
Free
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| Opening Hours: |
Daily all day
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Each year the Fishermen's Association in Cascais organises the Festival of the Sea (Festas do mar), with plenty of marine-themed processions, music and other weird and wonderful events taking place on S Joao do Estoril Beach.
The fun includes a procession in true Portuguese style of Our Lady of the Seafarers, complete with colourful costumes and music. The nights are lit up with fireworks and ring to the sound of fado (a traditional style of singing). The hushed, dramatic rendering of folk songs can be wonderful to hear. All sorts of extraordinary games are laid on during the fiesta, including one where people bet on which hole a mouse will choose to run down!
At one point bulls are sent running along the beach, and anyone brave or foolhardy enough tries to grab onto the horns for the exciting prize of some dried codfish. Needless to say, if you find the idea of bull-running distasteful, then please turn your attention to some of the other festivities.
This is one all the family can enjoy. Please check the dates with the local tourist office before you go as the festival only starts when the fishermen are ready.
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