Sunny days in Spindle City: Event to celebrate Fall River musician Joe Raposo on Aug. 3

The Herald News
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FALL RIVER — Here's hoping for a sunny day to sweep the clouds away on Wednesday, Aug. 3, as Fall River honors a hometown legend.

Join the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives at UMass Dartmouth, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the city of Fall River in celebrating Portuguese immigration and the wonderful life and magical world of Portuguese American composer Joe Raposo, a Fall River native who wrote the theme song for Jim Henson’s “Sesame Street," and his Muppet friends.

Be there for the declaration of Joe Raposo Day by Mayor Paul Coogan on Wednesday, Aug. 3. The event will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m., at the Visitor Center (Thomas Hudner Memorial Building) at Heritage State Park, 200 Davol St.

'Street Gang': Documentary tells how the 'Sesame Street' theme song started with a Fall River musician

Fall River native Joe Raposo sits on the stoop on the set of "Sesame Street" with Big Bird. Raposo wrote the show's theme song as was its longtime musical director.
Fall River native Joe Raposo sits on the stoop on the set of "Sesame Street" with Big Bird. Raposo wrote the show's theme song as was its longtime musical director.

Visitors can meet the Raposo family and watch a screening of "Sing!" a rare "Sesame Street" tribute film to Raposo and his music, on a big screen in the park's air-conditioned theater.

Guests are also welcome to explore the exhibit "A Glimpse into Portuguese American Immigrations," a look into the experience of the region's dominant ethnic community through photographs, rare newspaper articles, and other insightful documents. Heritage State Park features a monument to local Portuguese American poet Joao Teixeira de Medeiros. This exhibit is on loan from the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives at UMass Dartmouth.

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Free refreshments will be served at the event and free parking is available in the DCR lot at 5 Water St. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Accommodations are available upon request.

For more information, call 508-675-5759, ext. 0. All current COVID guidelines will be followed. Visit Mass.gov/COVID.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Event to honor 'Sesame Street' composer, Fall River native Joe Raposo