People singing the São João song.
CALIFORNIA
The CalifornianGoans community came together in large numbers to celebrate the vibrant feast of São João at Rengstorff Park, Mountain View, on June 23.
The day began in festive spirit with a lively procession of fruits, led by the newlyweds Ashley and Roshelle, whose families brought a bounty of fresh fruits—an homage to the traditional Goan. Community members also joined in, carrying fruits as they walked and sang along to a Goan song.
Following the procession, the crowd gathered around to sing the traditional São João song. The festive mood continued with Goan-style barbecue, stall games, and cultural activities that allowed people of all ages to connect over food, laughter, and heritage.
The newly weds who led the procession.
One of the standout moments of the day was the Kopel competition—a colourful nod to São João traditions. Equally popular was the Goan cooking competition, which drew in food lovers eager to showcase their culinary skills and savour authentic home-cooked delicacies.
As lunch was served, attendees enjoyed a lively round of housie, while the boys chipped in by helping cut fruit—including a special treat of ripe jackfruit, served as a sweet finish to the midday meal.
The afternoon brought more fun with a community group game that saw young and old joining hands in playful competition. Later, families relaxed with freshly brewed Goan-style tea, warm Sheera, and Doone while watching the Men’s and Women’s tiebreaker matches on the fields.
Participants of the Kopel Competition.
The grand finale of the day was the much-anticipated volleyball tournament, that drew cheers from all corners of the park. As the sun dipped below the horizon, winners were recognised during the prize distribution ceremony, and every family received a share of the fresh fruits to take home—a symbolic gesture of abundance and community spirit.
São João 2025 was not just a celebration of tradition, but a beautiful reminder of the strength, joy, and unity of the CalifornianGoans community.
