By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Saturday, June 4th, the American Society of Rio de Janeiro (AmSoc Rio) will host their annual America’s Day celebration at the Escola Americana Rio de Janeiro (the American School, or EARJ) in Gávea from 12:30 to 4PM. As always, the event promises a range of fun family activities to entertain both adults and children alike.
The organizers explain “It’s not the 4th of July, it’s not Memorial Day—it’s America’s Day! The American Society has been holding this spectacular family picnic for well over thirty years, where we celebrate things that are American.”
The event starts with typical American picnic food: hamburgers and hotdogs on an outdoor grill, with ketchup and mustard and even pickles. As well as potato and macaroni salad, not to mention tacos and burritos and Garytos all-natural corn chips with salsa, courtesy of AmSoc Rio member Gary Urban. Soft drinks aplenty courtesy of AmSoc Rio sponsor Coca-Cola.
Vintage American Country, Bluegrass and Folk music will be performed live throughout the festivities by vintage American musicians. The River Country Trio of Steve Yolen, Peter Warner and Tony Lupidi will be strumming their banjos and guitars, and Al Pratt will be joined by BeeLiv for a few numbers.
All of them are veterans of Rock in Rio 2011 and played at the community benefit concerts after the 2013 mudslides in Teresópolis. We’re proud to announce that both Steve and Peter are former Presidents of the American Society of Rio de Janeiro.
Organizers add, “You can’t have an American picnic without having some American games, so of course we’ll be offering some of those as well. Horseshoes, softball and more for the adults, with spoon and sack races, egg tosses and other games for children. For the small fry, we will have the bouncy bouncy plus tables for coloring and other arts and crafts handiwork.”
The American Society of Rio was founded in 1917 and has since been a strong community organization in the city for expatriates. It has provided a support system for foreigners who find themselves living in Rio de Janeiro but sometimes missing home.
Another pillar of the expatriate community in Rio is the American School in Gávea. Established in 1937, by private individuals, corporations, and the American Chamber of Commerce, the school has been providing an exceptional academic system to families.
The America’s Day 2016 event is all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-play, all-you-can-listen, all for only R$30 per person, for members of the American Society. Non-members are more than welcome, but will pay R$50 per person (and AmSoc Rio memebership signup will be available at the event as well). All children age six and under are free, age 7-12 are R$15.
RSVP is not required (come one, come all!) but to help us count how much food and drink to provide, please let us know by email if you plan to come along: [email protected].
What: America’s Day 2016
Where: The American School, Estrada da Gavea 132, RJ
When: From 12:30 to 4PM
Entrance: R$30 for AmSoc Rio members, R$50 for non-members, R$16 for children 7-12, and free for children under six