The ninth annual Brazilian Day San Diego, the largest Brazilian festival on the West Coast, has a new venue this year – Mission Beach’s Belmont Park.
The cultural event, to be held Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Belmont Park’s parking lot, celebrates the South American nation’s independence day on Sept. 7. It features a carnival-style parade, live music and a fair with Brazilian products and cuisine.
The free, family friendly event was moved this year after outgrowing its previous location on the streets of Pacific Beach. It’s also being held a day earlier than usual on Saturday, to avoid conflicting with NFL opening weekend Sunday, Sept. 11.
Brazilian Day producer Paulo Batuta said the festival provides an unparalleled opportunity for the entire coastal community to come together and embrace the cultural flavors, sounds and arts of Brazil.
“We’re excited about our new location in Belmont Park, and we’re now closer to the water, so we can incorporate people at the beach and on the boardwalk as well,” said Batuta, who noted taking the event off the streets into a parking lot will be “less impactful on the community.”
An exciting group of entertainers has been lined up for the special cultural event including Ronan Horta, Carlinhos Do Pandeiro, Fernando Ebano, Batala Los Angeles with Master Giba, Ailton Nunes, Tania Santiago, Zumba Party Fitness, Super Sonic Samba and Raggabond.
There will be non-stop entertainment on stages including musical bands, dance ensembles, a food court, vendor’s exhibition and a kids zone rounding out festivities.
Batuta talked about the origin of the Brazilian festival.
“We had been celebrating the Fourth of July on the beach on Mission Bay and the party got so big … we didn’t realize there were so many Brazilians here,” he said, adding the decision was made then and there to turn it into an annual celebration of Brazil’s independence. Batuta noted Brazil days are held worldwide including such far-flung spots as London and Toronto.
New this year to the festival will be a beer garden on Belmont Park’s grassy area that will showcase Brazilian brews, including craft beers from Novo Brazil microbrewery in Chula Vista.
“This year we’ll also have a bigger participation from health and fitness businesses, as well as Brazilian food, as always,” Batuta said, adding the parade will be held totally within the amusement center’s parking lot.
“The parade will pretty much be the same distance as it was when we were in PB,” said Batuta, who added Belmont Park has welcomed the event “with open arms.
“We’re super excited about exploring our new home,” Batuta said.
Brazilian Day San Diego is hosted by the Brazilian Institute for Arts and Culture (BIAC)
Created in 1999, the BIAC is a nonprofit with two central components: Capoeira Mandinga, capoeira academy and arts, and design Brazilian Day, a street event started in 2008 presenting the culture and vibrant Brazilian arts. BIAC projects and programs are made possible by government grants and private companies, donations, sponsors and the labor of hundreds of volunteers every year.
For more information, visit www.braziliandaysandiego.com. Brazilian Day
Where: Belmont Park, Mission Beach.
When. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.
Info: www.braziliandaysandiego.com