About Us
The Committee for 2026 is made up of the following:
Board Members:
Mr. Jubilo L. Afonso
Mr. Fernando Albuquerque
Ms. Julie Andrade
Mr. Jose Carlos Brito
Mr. Joe Capitao
Ms. Lauren Canelo
Mr. Leonel Cardoso
Mrs. Jacqueline Castanheira
Mr. Jose Castanheira
Mrs. Fernanda Correia
Ms. Jennifer Costa
Ms. Marie Costa
Mr. Nelson Costa
Mr. Jorge Da Costa
Fr. John Carlos DeSousa
Ms. Stephanie Vieira Domingues
Mrs. Idalina Lopes
Mr. Jaime Lopes
Mr. James Lopes
Mrs. Stephanie Lopes
Mr. Tiago Matos
Mr. Joaquim Panarra
Mr. Rogerio Pestana
Mrs. Stephanie Goncalves Pestana
Mr. Tony Rodrigues
Ms. Kalina Soares
Mrs. Maria Torres
Mrs. Maria Zacarias
President:
Mr. Nicholas Almeida
Vice Presidents:
Mrs. Melissa Sintra Costa
Mrs. Maria M. Matos
Mr. Filipe Ramos
Secretaries:
Mrs. Tanya Canelo
Mrs. Jennifer Ramalho
Treasurers:
Mrs. Maria Almeida
Mrs. Jennifer DaSilva Costa
Public Relations:
Mr. Alex Henriques
Parade Coordinator:
Mrs. Melissa Sintra Costa
Pageant Coordinator:
Ms. Jessica Lourenco
Golf Coordinator:
Mr. Manny Grova, Jr.
Cultural Exhibition Coordinator:
Mrs. Isabel Bastos
Public Affairs Coordinators:
Mrs. Maria Z. Carvalho
Mr. Sergio Granados
Marketing Chair:
Mr. Steve Soares
Fundraising Chair:
Ms. Michelle Caneira
Pastor:
Fr. Danny Rodrigues
Immediate Past President:
Michelle Afonso
Rainha 2025:
Alexis Pineda
Rei 2025:
Luke Casqueira
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.
Nicholas Almeida
President 2026