Officials from Fall River and the Azores gathered on June 2, 2007 at the Ponta Delgada Gates near the city's waterfront and the Columbia Street neighborhood for the first Day of Portugal celebration at that new venue. Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr. welcomed Ponta Delgada Mayor Berta Cabral and Dra. Fernanda Coelho of the Portuguese Consul in New Bedford. The focal point of the event was the raising of the American and Portuguese flags and the playing of the respective national anthems by the Banda Filarmonica Santa Cecilia of Fall River. Students of the Escola Portuguesa Oficializada de Fall River were also on hand to witness the event along with several hundred invited guests and members of the public. The festival continues over a three-day period with Portuguese music, food from local restaurants and items for sale by local vendors. The Day of Portugal (officially Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas) marks the date of Luís de Camões' death in June 10, 1580 and is Portugal's National Day. Camões wrote the Lusiads, Portugal's national epic celebrating Portuguese history and achievements. Click here to read the Herald News article about the event. Click here to see photos from the 2005 event.
 

(Top row, left) Dra. Coelho is interviewed by RTP Television for airing in Europe. (Top row, center) Chief Justice Philip Rapoza of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, a Fall River native, is welcomed by Mayor Lambert. (Top row, right) Ponta Delgada Mayor Berta Cabral chats with Massachusetts State Representative Michael J. Rodrigues before the ceremony. (Middle row, left) Spectators listen to speeches by Mayors Lambert and Cabral prior to the flag raising ceremony. (Natasha Simas and Diane Ferreira carry the colors for the marching band. (Bottom row) With students from the Escola Portuguesa Oficializada de Fall River saluting, Mayor Lambert raises the American flag followed by Mayor Cabral raising the Portuguese flag as Ilda and Manuel Cabral of Fall River watch with pride.