One of the most anticipated Texas festivals is happening March 30 in Sugar Land at Constellation Field! It’s the 6th annual Brazilian Food & Music Festival, taking place from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. and loaded with food, forró, and folklore. This event is marked by the spirit of celebration, allowing festival-goers the opportunity to learn traditions, try some delicious Brazilian delicacies, and dance the day away!
The Brazilian Food & Music Festival is an event that was started by Millie Claro. This native of Brazil made her move to Houston and found a small community who shared a love for their same food and culture but had no outlet with which to express and celebrate it. Feeling homesick, Claro began inviting friends to a park in downtown Houston, which eventually grew to the development of a Facebook page, and finally, the first official event was born! It started through the bringing together of the Texas Brazilian community in a farmers-market-type fashion. Although only 300 people were anticipated for the first event, close to 1,400 people of all cultures attended! The food had sold out within the first three hours of that first event, and it was then that Claro saw that not just Brazilians wanted to experience a little part of Brazil’s lifestyle and folklore. Thanks to the hard work of the Providing Community Care Programs Association (PCCPA) and the Brazilian Women Foundation, the event has been expanding and growing each year.
Photo: Facebook/Brazilian Food & Music Festival
The PCCPA and the Brazilian Women Foundation are nonprofit organizations serving communities in Texas. Their mission is to provide social, financial, and counseling assistance to individuals and institutions in need. The PCCPA works with the city’s first-time home buyer program, healthcare registration runs, and food program assistance for at-risk kids and neighborhoods. In addition, the Brazilian Women Foundation has a mission to promote the Brazilian culture among communities interested in learning more about the Brazilian language, food, and folklore, as well as assisting those escaping domestic violence. Last year’s Brazilian Food & Music Festival hosted more than 4,000 attendees. Subsequently, organizers were excited to plan for this year’s event in a new venue – that of Constellation Field, in Sugar Land. With the proceeds from prior events as well as this year’s festival, both organizations have been able to support the wonderful programming they’re able to administer, such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), among others. Food being an integral focus of the 6th annual Brazilian Food & Music Festival, event-goers can anticipate a diverse array of samples that everyone will want to try. Acai food products, vegan selections, and a Texas fusion barbecue plate are just some of the offerings, paired with typical Brazilian beverages including some corn liquor in the form of a Caipirinha!
