Photo: The Cape Verdean Association of Brockton
BROCKTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Cape Verdean Association of Brockton (CVAB) is celebrating the Cape Verdean community and culture on Sunday.
Thousands are expected to gather at Campanelli Stadium for the 31st annual Cape Verdean Day festival. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the West African country's independence, the event will feature food vendors, performances, and live music.
This is the first time the event will take place at the stadium. Home of the Brockton Rox, team president Shawn Reilly welcomed the community, stating the organization was proud to welcome the event and help Cape Verdeans honor their community and culture in the area. The team mascot, players, and staff from the Rox will be on-site to welcome guests.
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CVAB has served Brockton's population, consisting of about 25% Cape Verdean residents, since 1977. The non-profit's mission is to provide health, education, social, human, and civic services to Cape Verdeans and other immigrant communities in the Brockton area.
Originally known as the Cape Verdean-American Association, the organization changed its name to the Cape Verdean Association of Brockton in 1991 after a merger with the New Cape Verdean Alliance.
According to the U.S. Census, Massachusetts is home to the largest population of Cape Verdeans in the country, with more than 70,000 residing in the Bay State.