Board members of the Portuguese American Federation observe a moment of silence Sunday following the laying of a wreath at the Portuguese Discoverers Monument at Brenton Point State Park

NEWPORT — Sunday’s hot and humid weather did not deter families, tourists and friends from gathering at Touro Park to enjoy food and folklore during the fourth annual Portuguese Cultural Festival.

Hosted by the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost Society, the Portuguese Cultural Festival was held from noon until 6 p.m. and drew a diverse array of people. Young and old from all cultures  gathered — with many people taking refuge in the shade — to experience the food and traditions embraced by Newport’s lively Portuguese community. Vendors were located throughout the park and traditional Portuguese  music blarred from under a tent, providing entertainment for the large crowd that gathered.

Three Portuguese folklore groups dressed in traditional clothing performed on the lawn. With dance, instrumental music and singing, the groups entertained onlookers with music from all different regions of Portugal.

Jose Mendes, who performed with the first group, Ramos de Oliveira, said dancing and singing in the Portuguese language are the vehicles for telling popular traditional stories. Mendes was the president of the group during its first six years and now helps with the performances.

“This is how we express our Portuguese culture,” Mendes said.

Agnes Luce, who has attended the past two festivals in Touro Park and frequents other Portuguese festivals in the area, said the music and dancing are the highlight of the festival. Luce is a member of Newport’s Portuguese community and said the event is especially enjoyable because it serves almost as a family reunion.

“The majority of all the people here are like my cousins,” Luce said. “The Portuguese music, dancing and the food is really out of this world.”

Touro Park is a wonderful location for the festival and adds atmosphere to the event, Luce said. John Dias, president of the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost  Society, agreed the location really helps the turnout and quality of the event.

Between 60 and 65 members of the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost Society were dressed in the organization’s blue embroidered shirts and helped work at several of the booths and at the food  tent. The food, which has been described by the organizers as being one of the festival’s main attractions, takes many days to prepare, said Dias, who stood behind a counter preparing marinated pork sandwiches. He  said the organization starts preparing food about two to three days in advance. Most of the society’s members turned out at the park Sunday by 6 a.m. to begin setting up for the event, Dias said.

His brother, Jim Dias, co-chairman of the festival, said he was happy with the turnout.

Joseph Gongavels, left, and Lisa Amaral, members of Rancho Folclorico de Santo Antonio of Pawtucket, play traditional 15-string Portuguese guitars Sunday  during the Portuguese Cultural Festival at Touro Park in Newport. The festival also was highlighted by dancing and authentic Portuguese foods.

“There’s a lot of tourists and first-time people here,” he said. The money raised from the food sales goes to pay the performers and helps fund a number of charitable donations, including three scholarships, Dias said.

The turnout for the event is always good, said Jim Maraziti, the group’s publicity chairman, but this year had the potential to be the best turnout to date. Maraziti said he was confident the festival’s attendance would exceed last year’s.

 “Out of the gate, this is the biggest crowd we’ve had,” Maraziti said on Sunday afternoon. I’m looking around and I see all sorts of people. ... I think that’s what makes the festival. People who would have  never been exposed to this type of cooking and music are now being exposed to it.”