There are many. Except as noted, all take place in either the large city park (Parque Dom Carlos I), or in and around a campus-like cluster of municipal buildings about 800 meters to the west (a technical school, hospitality industry school, Senior University, indoor sports complex, city library, and a combination BMX / skate park).
What are Marchas Populares? According to this article, it’s a combination parade and singing competition on St. Anthony’s day, first held in a Lisbon park in 1932. In 1934 an estimated 300,000 people filled six city parks. People came from Spain for the event. According to this article, it’s evolved into:
” The feast days of the popular saints (festas dos Santos Populares) is held in every street, neighborhood, and public square of the city. The biggest street party of the year might sound religious in nature, but trust me, it’s really all about sardines, beer, and irritatingly catchy folk music called pimba, which can only be described as slightly polka sounding songs that focus on squeaky-clean lyrics with sexual undertones. “
Annual party hosted by the SCMCR, a group that assists children and seniors, who sometimes live in the SCMCR facilities. Besides the 4 bands, there will be sardines, snacks, pig roasted on a spit, and much liveliness. Admission will cost you 2 smiles and donation of 1 drink (beer or juice). Held in the bullring. For an aerial view of the facility, at Google Maps paste this into the search box: CV58+34 Caldas da Rainha , zoom in, then switch to satellite view.
The Superior School of Arts and Design of Caldas da Rainha (ESAD.CR) is one of the best in the nation. Don’t know if their students are the source of the works displayed.
Held at the regional bus station in the town center. The covered outdoor areas are so much larger than needed for waiting bus passengers, it seems as if it were designed as a dual use space.
Four Letter Nerd 