The Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz celebrated its annual Harvest Festival on 24th August with great pomp and festivity. This year too, the Santa Cruz Parish Youth Group organized a half-day Harvest Festival event, where all the wards of the village came together to participate and compete for the Rolling Trophy.
The celebrations began at 3:00 pm with a vibrant March-Past, led by the parish mascot “Crocky-the Maange”, accompanied by the brass band, priests, EXCO members, and ward representatives.
The event was inaugurated with a prayer service conducted by Deacon Sunil Almeida and Sem. Fredrick Vas, followed by a graceful Prayer Dance performed by the Teenagers’ Group under the guidance of the Catechists. The festival torch was lit by the priests, after which Parish Priest Fr. Richard officially declared the Harvest Festival open by releasing a dove into the sky.
The day’s competitions were divided into two categories:
Lightning Events:
1. Float-a-Ball (children under 15 years)
2. Musical Arms (senior citizens)
3. Coconut Peeling (married couples)
Thunder Events:
1. Coconut Breaking
2. Tie Breaker
3. Tug of War
Another highlight of the festival was the food and drink counters managed by the Parish Youth Group. Adding to the festive flavour, the PPC members put up a special stall offering traditional Goan sweet dishes prepared with rice, jaggery, coconut, and fov.
The Parish Youth Group further enlivened the atmosphere with a joyful Flash Mob Dance. In the much-awaited finale, the defending champions St. Augustinho Ward were dethroned, and the Bandh-Aradi-Cacra Ward emerged as the new champions, lifting the Rolling Trophy. The festival concluded with the Prize Distribution Ceremony, followed by a lively musical performance by Johnny B’Gud and Reza, who captivated the crowd with their melodious voices. To crown the evening, DJ Scott and his rap team entertained the gathering, bringing the festival to a spirited close.