FECC 2003 Convention  Program

^{Saturday – 31 May}

^{Arrival of the participants.}  

^{We met up with Tom and Pat in Ovar.}

^{Sunday 1st June}  

<sup>Opening ceremony 
Click here for a slide show of the opening ceremony

We all get a medal to open the convention.</sup>

<sup>Mass at Ovar’s church 

Click on picture for full size

Ovar has life-size stations of the cross
situated throughout the town.  The procession for 
Semana Santa stops at each station 
for a traditional ceremony.  
Below are pictures of three stations.

Click on the pictures for the full size photo.</sup>

^{FECC Group Photo.}

FECC group

FECC America

FECC USA

^{Click on picture for full size}

<sup>Lunch included Great food and line dancing

Tom Collins enjoys the dancing</sup>
(for more opening ceremony photos click here 



<sup>Dance & Music in Ovar - Traditional costumes  



Click on the pictures for the full size photo.</sup>

^{Monday – 2nd June} 

^{Exhibition of Carnival Costumes and props} 
 

First stop the new science museum, above,  and convention center, below. photo by James Offen   "Over & Over " on the streets of Ovar.
After a long day at the convention we took a bus trip of Ovar,  which included a stop at the beach.

Center of Ovar

Ovar old & New


^{Beautifully tiled facades}

^{Medieval Dinner - Castle at Feira,}

We had a Medieval Feast & Show

Tom does not appear to be enjoying the begging 
component on the show.  

The beggars had very 
realistic looking oozing facial sores and drool prosthetics.


The knights of Malta sent two of their 
best men in to battle.

After a rather rough sword fight they 
were both knighted.  As you can see George 
lost the battle and needed a trip to the 
medical tent before he was knighted.

^{Tuesday – 3rd June
Workshop – theme: “Carnival’s History and Development”}




Back Row: Alvaro Rocha, Margaretta Gabathuler,   ,  , 
Wendy Collins 
Front row: Patricia Gonialves, Chris Collins, (Still waiting for a few names)

The best part was meeting the people of Portugal. 
They were great hosts.  
Thanks again for your hospitality 
(including the others not shown here)

^{Wednesday – 4th June} 

<sup>Fátima 
is famous for a vision of Mary.
Click here for the official page.


Wendy at Fatima</sup>

^{Mayors banquet
Dinner at Mealhada’s Wine Cellars 
with Fado singers}

^{for more banquet pictures}
click here 

^{Thursday – 5th June}

^{Press Conference
for 
2004 FECC Conference in Bulgaria}  

Click here for more photos of the show
 

^{Friday – 6th June}  

^{Sightseeing  Oporto}


Sightseeing in Oporto was a highlight of the trip.  
click here for a slide show.
when you see the photo 
press  
for the show

<sup>Saturday – 7th June
Aveiro


We took a bike tour around the town of Aveiro.  
They have bikes you can use for free, for tourists & residents.  
You just leave your ID.</sup>  

^{Click here for a tour.} 

^{Ovar’s Carnival Parade 
The parade was fantastic.}
(for more photos click here)