Eight Decades of Festa: Honoring Darrell and Rosemary Barron at Yerington’s Portuguese Festa on June 7, 2026

Yerington NV – May 20, 2026

Sunday, June 7th, marks the 105th Yerington Portuguese Festa. Known as the Festa do Espírito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit), the 700-year-old tradition celebrates faith, charity, and the miracle of Queen Saint Isabel of Portugal. This year’s festa honors Darrell and Rosemary Barron, who have been part of the spring festivities for eight decades, carrying the history and memories made along the way.

Born in 1936 to John and Anna Barcellos, Rosemary and her sister Gloria grew up in Nevada. Rosemary spilt her high school career between Reno High and Yerington and assisted with their father’s work in agriculture throughout the valley. She served as the 31st Portuguese Queen in 1950, her sophomore year.

Darrell, an Air Force Veteran, traveled through Nevada for the first time in 1954. Originally coming through Las Vegas, Darrell said, “I drove from there [Las Vegas] to Sparks at 35 mph and fell in love with the state as I went…” He eventually found Rosemary and the couple began the adventure of their lives together.

Darrell and Rosemary wed in 1955, and to this day, Darrell affectionately describes Rosemary as being beautiful in every way. He remembers her never-ending love for dancing together whenever given the opportunity. They attended their first festa together in 1956 and maintained a regular appearance at the event. The Barrons and their next generations have been generous supporters of the auction over the years. Looking back on all their memories, Darrell recalled Rosemary’s favorite moments of the festa were time spent with friends and family, enjoying and celebrating their culture.

Rosemary passed away last October, leaving behind a lifetime of love and support for her family, Yerington, and the Portuguese heritage she loved so much. Her memory lives on through her devoted family, Darrell, and all of those she has touched with her kindness through the years of Festa. The Yerington Portuguese Organization is honored to celebrate the Barrons as our honorees and look forward to carrying Rosemary’s legacy for years to come.

This year’s festa starts with a 10:30 mass at the Holy Family Catholic Church, followed by a noon lunch of traditional sopas, Portuguese beans, and sweet bread at the Catholic Hall.

Yerington Portuguese Festas through the last few years:

https://pizenswitchtimes.com/?s=Festa