2011 Festa
Message from King
Joseph Gregory Seiter

King Joseph Gregory Seiter's message

I am so honored to be King of the 2011 Portuguese Festa. I have participated in the Festa since I was young, and will continue in the years to come. But this year, it is with great pride that I am able to be King in the Festa dedicated to my uncle, David J. Silveira, who died at sea off Alaska in 2008, and my grandfather, Elias A. Silveira, who recently passed away. The 2011 Festa will have special meaning for me and my entire family.

The honor of being the 2011 Festa King also comes with responsibilities. I have recently started going to more Portuguese functions supporting the Festa and have had a chance to meet some of the dedicated, hard-working people who make the Festa possible each year. I look forward to being involved and getting to know them better. I believe that it is important to keep the Portuguese traditions strong so that they will continue for years to come. And it is important to take the time to give back to the community. I look forward to meeting new people at the upcoming 2011 Festa Fundraising Events and the entire Portuguese community is invited to join us. The fundraiser dates are posted on the UPSES website.

Every year the Portuguese Festa is a tradition we celebrate to honor the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. We eat sopas in remembrance of Queen St. Isabel's feeding the poor. And I take pride in knowing that the community can come together each year in celebration of our faith and Portuguese traditions; I hope that in the future my children will experience the Festa as I have.

Joseph Gregory Seiter
2011 U.P.S.E.S. Festa King