Feast of St John the Baptist Goa is the place one can have fun with or without the sun. Variety adds spice to life and this is more true in Goa than in any other place. Come 24th June and Goans, and everybody, in Goa, head to the nearest water well or a swimming pool to take a dive. It is the day of St John the Baptist feast, with its unique celebration. St John baptized Jesus of Nazareth in River Jordan, symbolically using river water. Coincidentally, his feast falls during the rainy season in Goa providing an opportunity to revellers. St John is the patron saint of Benaulim (in Salcete) and Pilerne (in Bardez) where the villagers celebrate the day with extra fervour and gaiety.
Plenty of choice to have fun: Fiplee's Restaurant in Benaulim is ready for their annual San Joao bash with Goa's top bands and entertainers in attendance. They have lots of surprises in store for you. If you desire to celebrate the day aboard a boat, Santa Monica will have its traditional programme the whole day with live music, dancing, breaking of coconut, spot prizes and lots of fun. Join in the celebrations at Clube Nacional in Panaji. It's called Noite de Santa Antonio (Night of St Anthony); they have buffet, prizes and surprises for you. At Rendezvous in Dona Paula, meet your friends or make new ones, where in addition to the top bands in attendance, there will be 'copel' (crown) contest, pot-breaking and tug of war at the event called 'Viva San Joao'. Indeed, long live Sao Joao! At Sun Village in Arpora, they celebrate 'San Joao' as a family day out, full of fun. Take part in games and competitions such as the breaking of pot, laughter contest, etc and win loads of prizes and later sit down for a sumptuous lunch with your loved ones. Siolim Boat Parade Fun may take a break here but it never stops! You may choose to cry elsewhere but here in Goa do as Goans do: never loose an opportunity to have fun and enjoy. Among the places where celebrations take place on a grand scale is the Siolim village. The Sao Joao Boat parade is one thing everyone looks forward to. Wear flower crown and head for the boat parade, and join multitude of revellers there on the 24th. 'Sangodd' on the river bank Along the river bank in Orda, Candolim, fisher folks celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul with a unique entertainment called Sangodd. This includes songs and short skits, music, etc, performed on a platform mounted on two or more canoes put together for the purpose. The tradition goes back to several years. Instead of entertaining the audience in one place, the Sangodd moves from one station to another where people gather. Monsoon is fun!
