Commission crowd toasts Ernestina
By CYNTHIA GOMEZ,
Standard-Times staff writer

NEW BEDFORD -- In a corner of the otherwise quiet downtown, the rhythmic sounds of Cape Verdean music and the smell of the culture's cuisine wafted through the air as the sun went down yesterday.

The Schooner Ernestina Commission presented the second annual "Festa da Ernestina" in the parking lot of its headquarters on Elm and North Water streets.

The Bisca Club Band, known for its lively traditional and contemporary repertoire, lit up the stage, and historic images of the schooner at various ports of call at home and abroad flashed across a canvass screen suspended from the brick building.

"This is an awesome event," said Ilene Fernandez of South Dartmouth. "This is my second time coming and I love it."

Sitting on the opposite end of the lot was Pauline Livramento and her granddaughter Karyl Perry.

"Cape Verde is part of Karyl's heritage, so I'm trying to introduce her to that," Ms. Livramento said. "But this is my first time at this event as well, and I think it's excellent. I'm getting to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time and I'm having a wonderful time."

The "festa" highlighted the legendary vessel's remarkable history and its significance as a proud symbol of Cape Verdean-American heritage.

A former fishing vessel, the schooner became a Cape Verde transport ship in the late 1940s, bringing immigrants from the Cape Verde islands to the United States.

The ship is known as one of the world's most historic still afloat today.

This year's event celebrated the 20-year anniversary of the schooner's presentation to the United States as a gift from the Republic of Cape Verde.

"This event is a great way for Cape Verdeans to get reconnected with the ship, their culture, and each other," said Polly Zajac, a former fourth-grade teacher-turned-Ernestina educator.

That is just what happened last night, as old friends mingled and people walked around the large wooden displays that recounted the schooner's history.

Last night's event took place even while the Ernestina sat across the harbor in Fairhaven undergoing repairs and assessments after taking on water at sea earlier this month.

"It's a strong boat, and it will recover and be back on the water very soon," said Tom Goux, director of public programming.

Like last year, organizers were looking forward to a turnout yesterday of more than 300 people. Less than an hour in, it looked as if their hopes would come true. The lot was nearly full, with throngs of people walking from cars, lawn chairs in hand.

Public Program Coordinator: Tom Goux

Lindsay Dawkins of New York City, right, in town visiting her friend Patricia Rodrigues of New Bedford, left, looks on at the gathering crowd at 89 North Water Street downtown.

Stefan Platzer speaks about his experience as one of the crew to bring the ship across the Atlantic from Cape Verde in 1982 arriving in Newport August 24th.

Laura Pires Hester was one of the main organizers who helped get Ernestina back to America as a gift between nations.

The screen is set up to show some historic footage later in the evening.