Festa Junina Baby!

Festa Junina is around the corner and I couldn't be more excited!  Festa Junina means June party. It's a party mocking the country folk of Brazil. Ok, that's not really what it is but that's what it is in my eyes.  Let's break this down.  Brazilians dress up in ridiculous outfits, paint freckles on their faces, and sometimes even black out teeth. I really don't think they are honoring them.

Regardless, it's a hell of a good time. There are parties all over the city, in the way only Brazilians can do it. There's live music, games for kids, lots of drinks, dancing, and really really good bad-for-you food. It's one of my favorite festivals. I get to dress myself and my kids up like hicks.  There's also the old school fun games like fishing for toys and such. 

Here's the real lowdown on Festa Junina:

Festa Junina is a month long celebration in Brazil for Saint John (São João) , Peter and Anthony.

It was introduced to the country by the Portuguese during the colonial period: Who says the Portuguese never did anything good for Brazil.

São João celebrates marital union. The "quadrilha" features couple formations around a mock wedding whose bride and groom are the central attraction of the dancing.

Quadrilha is a dance like square dancing.

In my region you'll eat Canjica (a corn style pudding with large chunks of corn and made with coconut milk), Popcorn, Peanut brittle, milk fudge, candied fruits, Cajuzinho (candy made with peanuts),  Brazilian tapioca (it's white and looks like a pancake. You can put anything and everything on it but most eat it with dolce de leite or butter), among other things.

And then there's quentao. It's a crazy drink made of hot cachaça, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, orange, and pieces of apple. 

Take it or leave it people, I'm going to party like a hillbilly.