About Us
The Committee for 2025 is made up of the following:
Board Members:
Jubilo L. Afonso
Fernando Albuquerque
Julie Andrade
Jose Carlos Brito
Joe Capitao
Michelle Caneira
Lauren Canelo
Tanya Canelo
Leonel Cardoso
Jacqueline Castanheira
Jose Castanheira
Fernanda Correia
Jennifer Costa
Marie Costa
Nelson Costa
Fr. John Carlos DeSousa
Stephanie Vieira Domingues
Alex Henriques
Idalina Lopes
Jaime Lopes
James Lopes
Stephanie Lopes
Tiago Matos
Joaquim Panarra
Rogerio Pestana
Stephanie Goncalves Pestana
Filipe Ramos
Tony Rodrigues
Kalina Soares
Steve Soares
Maria Torres
Maria Zacarias
President:
Michelle Afonso
Vice Presidents:
Sergio Granados
Manuela Matos
Carla Rodrigues Da Silva
Secretaries:
Jennifer Ramalho
Nancy Dionisio
Treasurers:
Jennifer DaSilva Costa
Maria Almeida
Public Relations:
Nicholas Almeida
Maria Z. Carvalho
Parade Coordinator:
Melissa Sintra Costa
Pageant Coordinator:
Jessica Lourenco
Golf Coordinator:
Manny Grova, Jr.
Cultural Exhibition Coordinator:
Isabel Bastos
Pastor:
Fr. Nuno Rocha
Immediate Past President:
Jorge Da Costa
Rainha 2024:
Elsea Reynoso
Rei 2024:
Vincent Zeferino
Affiliate Organizations:
Portuguese Instructive Social Club
P.I.S.C. Nova Mocidade
Rancho Danças e Cantares de Portugal
Escola Amadeu Correira
Our Lady of Fatima Parish
Elizabeth Portuguese LIONS
Elizabeth Youth Soccer
The Portuguese Day Parade in Elizabeth, New Jersey is the oldest running Portuguese Parade in the State of New Jersey. Since 1978, each sector of the Portuguese community; organizations, clubs, non-profits and religious institutions come together to commemorate our heritage of distinction. Portugal Day is a cultural revitalization of our community and a demonstration of its force and ambition.
The Portugal Day Committee is made up of one representative from each of the Portuguese organizations within the City of Elizabeth and the surrounding areas. Each organization has its own mission and progeny to maintain, however a collaborated ideology is created through the combined efforts of uniting a strong Portuguese Community.
The Elizabeth Portugal Day Committee strives to maintain the Portuguese-American cultural ideals and customs through a celebration of our cultural heritage. More specifically, Portuguese Americans, children and families together, partake in races, fishing competitions, soccer tournaments, golf tournaments, community exhibitions, pageants and the finale of participating in the grand parade which takes place every year on the first sunday in June.
Michelle Afonso
President 2025