The Festival of the Trays (“Festa dos Tabuleiros”) watch is an homage to the festival held in Tomar. " it is one of the largest of its kind in Portugal. Historically, this Festival has its roots back to the 16th century in the cult of the Holy Spirit that remounts earlier to the reign of King Diniz (1279-1324) and his wife Queen Isabel.
The Festival is announced in Easter Sunday by the Crowns Procession that crosses the town by the sound of drums, pipes and bands, leading the banner of the Holy Ghost and the three silvers crowns carried by those who organize the Festival. Members of the town council and parish dignitaries join the procession throughout the city, each one carrying a crown representing his district, accompany the walk.
During the Festival the old streets of Tomar are decorated with paper flowers and the most colorful and original decorated street is awarded the prize in the evening of the first day. A number of other events are organized and there is always music, dancing and fireworks throughout.
The outstanding moment of the Festival takes place in the last day and attracts the greatest number of visitors. Through the narrow streets of Tomar marches the traditional procession where hundreds of young women representing all the districts and villages, carry on her heads a colorful tray made with paper flowers and 30 loaves. In 2011 are expected circa 700 trays.
The women dressed in white with a colored belt are escorted by young men dressing a white shirt, black trousers and a tie as the same color of the girl's belt, being red the most common color. Although 30 degrees temperature and a four hours parade, the young women don’t hand over the tray because is considered to be dishonorable.
The tray is the height of a girl and weights around 15 kg, it is traditionally composed by 30 loaves threaded on a vertical structure inserted in a basket intertwined with leaves and paper flowers. At the top, the tray has a large painted tin crown with the Cross of Christ or a white dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. "
in http://sc2011.greenlines-institute.org/sc2011website/about_tomar_festival.htm |
The Festival of Trays 
