New Bedford Cape Verdean Parade Set for Saturday

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The Cape Verdean community in New Bedford is getting ready for the 51st annual Cape Verdean Day Parade on Saturday.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Buttonwood Park and will travel on Union Street, turn left onto Acushnet Avenue, right onto Grinnell Street and end at the reviewing stand at the Cape Verdean American Veterans Memorial Hall at 561 Purchase St.

The grand marshal this year is Cruz Construction President John B Cruz III, according to the Cape Verdean Recognition Committee Inc.

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The committee said it chose Cruz for his involvement in developing housing in New Bedford for the Cape Verdean community.

“He is committed to increasing affordable housing, providing good jobs to area residents and hiring minority businesses,” the committee said. “In addition, John has lent significant financial support to many organizations in New Bedford, particularly Cape Verdean organizations. John is very humble and excited to be our 51st Parade Grand Marshal and we are excited to have him leading our parade.”

The parade is the culmination of Cape Verdean Week, seven days celebrating the Cape Verdean population in New Bedford.

The Cape Verdean Recognition Committee held a parade during the first week of July, a tradition taking place since 1972.

This week featured events including a Cape Verde flag-raising ceremony, a music festival, a celebration of the return of the schooner Ernestina-Morrissey and a scholarship award ceremony.