U.S. members join Portuguese in Praia Fest parade

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  For the first time in history, U.S. members of Lajes Field were invited to join the Portuguese community in Praia Fest by participating in their opening parade Aug. 4.

The parade, themed "Carnival," provided a chance to trace back the roots of Carnival with Portuguese, Venetians, Brazilians and African Americans. On this night, 33 members of the base's African American Heritage Committee showed the people of Terceira how celebrations began in the villages of Africa then progressed through the years into festivals, such as those in Portugal, and carnivals, traditionally held in Brazil.

"We had to go back to the roots and dig up the true story about the kings, queens and village princesses," said Jaquela Williams, 65th Force Support Squadron training technician and president of the African American Heritage Committee. "We couldn't really find a carnival in Africa because they really don't have big festivals, but they have village celebrations which are used as the beginning of carnival - celebrations in which people come together with drums, music, beats, rhythms and energy that progressed into huge carnival parades."

Williams said the Portuguese president of Praia Fest provided a booklet with everything they wanted, the costume designs and the float design. All they had to do was raise the money, get everyone fitted for their costumes and do an outstanding performance.

"We really built some connections with the Portuguese," Williams said. "We had mass meetings where we got to meet with the Portuguese and Brazilians. It was interesting listening to them, hearing their ideas and vision and then trying to make our vision into their vision."

The cast included warriors, village dancers, village princesses, flower girls, a king and his two queens.

"You have the village people dancing and entertaining and giving homage and honor to the king, and then you have the warriors there to protect them," Williams said.

Their float was designed with two large elephant tusks in the front and the large head of a lion in the rear.

"It was really amazing, really energetic, high speed, high pace, can't breathe, just fall-out-on-the-ground tired," said Williams, who also served as one of the village dancers.

Greg "Goldie" Williams, husband of Master Sgt. Scarlet Williams, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron, played the African king who sat at the head of the float.

"I absolutely loved it," he said. "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. To be a part of it was a blessing, an honor, and I'm glad I was able to do it."

The elder queen, retired Chief Master Sgt. Cynthia Burney, 65th Force Support Squadron, and the younger queen, Shemekia McMillan, wife of Staff Sgt. Joseph McMillan, 65th Communications Squadron, waved and blew kisses to thousands of people standing along the red carpet of Praia da Vitoria.

"This was the most fantastic experience I've ever had," Burney said. "Talk about bringing host nation relations closer. The whole experience was a lot of work but it was totally worth it. I'm ready to do it again. I feel beautiful."

"We received so much support from the base and the people who are here, and our dancers and warriors were so dedicated," Williams said. "The Portuguese have been so accommodating to us. The relationships we've built with them are great, even beyond the language barrier. I may be sitting in meetings with Andrea (president of Praia Fest) and she has no clue what I'm saying, and I have no clue what she's saying, and so we have to use a translator and watch each other's facial expressions, but it's been a wonderful experience."