King's Square will provide a spacious and colourful backdrop for the Island's first Portuguese Festival this Sunday.

And organisers from the St. George's Activities Committee are predicting that at least 2,000 will join in the celebrations.

St. George's committee member, E. Michael Jones says: "This is the first time we've ever done anything like this. The committee has been planning it since January and it's going to be a big event. We want everyone to come and enjoy a different day out -- it's not just for the Portuguese community.

"This should be a great kick-off for Heritage Month.'' The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs are backing the festival, and Mr. Jones adds: "We are also contacting the various tourism establishments to encourage our visitors to come down and have some fun on an otherwise lazy Sunday afternoon!'' The committee is headed by Mrs. Mariea Caisey and includes Mr. Eddy DeMello, Mr. Eugene Lima and Ms Sharon Kirby.

Portuguese people and Bermudians of Portuguese descent are being encouraged to wear their national costumes and to take part in the folk dancing, under the guidance of the Portuguese Dancers, a group sponsored by the Portuguese Cultural Association.

On hand at the festivities will be the Portuguese Consul, Dr. Francisco Santos Correira and Mrs. Correira.

Highlight of the afternoon is expected to be the appearance of internationally known singer, Jorge Ferreira, who makes a popular return visit to the Island.

Spokesman Mr. DeMello explained that Mr. Ferreira, who was born in the Azores, went to the US as a young man and played with the groups Sunset and Vibrations in the Massachussets area before forming his own group, Mars, in 1980.

"He has played all over the world where there are Portuguese communities and attracted a crowd of 16,000 when he played at a concert in Australia recently,'' said Mr. DeMello. "People go crazy about him in Paris. There are videos of him performing in Paris, Venezuela and California and he is hoping to make a video here.'' He has produced 16 albums, earning the equivalent of seven gold and nine platinum records. He sings in Portuguese, English and French and is backed by an eight-piece band.

Music will also be provided this Sunday by local Portuguese bands and set up around the Square throughout the festival will be food stalls featuring Portuguese specialties such as sweet pastries, breads, soups and spicy chorico dishes.

St. George's restaurants will have special Portuguese dishes and will also be selling beer and Portuguese wine.

The Portuguese Cultural Association started life more than twenty years ago as the Portuguese Association.

Founder President Mr. Tony Cordeiro recalls: "We started the Association partly so that the Portuguese people could get together socially now and then and serve traditional suppers.

"But we also wanted to be part of the community, so it's always been a charitable organisation, raising money for organisations like the Salvation Army and the Sunshine League.'' Some of the money raised, he says, goes to help Portuguese people who are in need: "For instance, we would try to help out in the case of serious illness, accidents or the death of the breadwinner.'' After the group was formed through the Portuguese Cultural Centre, it was decided to combine the two organisations into the Portuguese Cultural Association.

Current President, Mr. Julio Simao says he is delighted the St. George's Activities Committee had the idea of staging a Portuguese event. "We are all looking forward to it being a big success and we hope the community will support us and come out and enjoy themselves.'' Mr. and Mrs. Correira will be the guests of honour at a pre-Portuguese festival cocktail party, dinner and dance to be held this Saturday evening at the Pembroke Princess, where music will be provided by Jorge Ferreira for the 350 guests.

FESTIVE FOLK DANCERS -- Members of Bermuda'a Portuguese Folk Dancers and band who will be providing entertainment at this Sunday's Portuguese Festival in St. George's.