Great Feast of the Holy Ghost at Fall River's Kennedy Park: What to know before you go

FALL RIVER — It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Well, one of the most wonderful times.

That's because it's festa season, and one of the largest Azorean Portuguese festas in the world is returning to Fall River.

Beginning Aug. 23, the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost will once more grace Kennedy Park at the corner of South Main and Bradford streets.

Historically, the Great Feast has drawn thousands — upon thousands — of visitors from near and far, and this year is expected to be no different.

Celebrated since 1986 and centered on both faith and culture, the feast will have activities for everyone to enjoy, not to mention an abundance of delicious Portuguese food and desserts.

Here's what you need to know before you go:

When is the 2023 Great Feast of the Holy Ghost?

The celebration begins on Wednesday, Aug. 23, and concludes on Monday, Aug. 28.

Will there be road closures for the Great Feast?

A press release from the city advises residents to note that there will be road closures from Thursday, Aug. 24, to Sunday, Aug. 27.

Closures and potential delays will affect the streets surrounding the feast in the area of Kennedy Park.

For those who live in close proximity to Kennedy Park, the Fall River Police Department will administer special parking permits.

For updates on parking and street closures on the week of the feast, visit the City of Fall River Facebook page, or fallriverma.org.

Who organizes the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost?

The Great Feast of the Holy Ghost in Fall River is organized by the Holy Ghost Committee.

Great Feast of the Holy Ghost begins with rosary, soup

The festivities begin on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m., with a recitation of the rosary, followed by the serving of sopas (soup). Traditionally, the soup is served free to the public in honor of Queen Isabel of Portugal, who was known for feeding the poor.

Illumination, performances on Thursday at Kennedy Park

On Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m., Kennedy Park will be illuminated in a special ceremony.

From 7:25 to 11 p.m., there will be performances from the children of Portuguese musical artists.

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Pensões distributed on Friday

Religious officials will be at Kennedy Park on Friday, Aug. 25, and there will be a blessing and distribution of pensões (gifts/offerings of bread, meat, and other food items) for the less fortunate.

Bishop José Augusto Traquina Maria of the Santarém Diocese, mainland Portugal, will give the blessing at 7 p.m.

Also scheduled to be present are Honorary Invite Dr. Artur Lima; Vice President of the Azorean Regional Government, the Director of the Regional Communities of Azores, Dr. José Andrade; the Consulate of Portugal in New Bedford, Dr. Rogério Lopes; as well as other dignitaries.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., there will be local and Azorean artisan vendors, highlighting regional products from the Azores.

From 8 to 11 p.m., musical performances will feature Tyler Bowe and the Luis Neves Show.

'Bodo de Leite' begins at Gates of the City

Leaving the Gates of the City on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 9:30 a.m., the "bodo de leite" procession will feature milk- and sweet bread. From the Gates of the City, the procession moves on to Columbia and South Main streets, in the direction of Kennedy Park, where the milk- and sweet breads will be distributed.

From 2 to 4 p.m., grupos folclóricos (folklore groups) will perform traditional Azorean dances at Kennedy Park.

Also at Kennedy Park, Arlindo Andrade, and Marc Dennis and Atlantys will perform from 5 to 11 p.m.

Solemn Mass, crowning, and procession on Sunday

Radio Voz do Emigrante/PALCUS will be holding a breakfast on Sunday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Tabacaria Açoreana (TA) restaurant, 408 S. Main St.

At noon, the solemn Mass and crowning will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral, 327 Second St.

The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop José Augusto Traquina Maria of the Santarém Diocese, mainland Portugal.

At 2 p.m., the procession will step off from St. Mary's.

The “Banda de Nossa Senhora da Conceição Mosteirense of Fall River” will perform at Kennedy Park from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

There will be a leilão (auction) from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.

The night will be capped off by a performance from Paulo Carvalho and Starlight, from 7:15 to 10 p.m.

Great Feast of the Holy Ghost concludes with banquet

The festivities for 2023 will officially conclude with a banquet at White's of Westport, 66 State Rd., Westport, on Monday, Aug. 28, beginning at 6 p.m.

Get the latest updates on the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost

For the latest updates, as well as more information about the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost, contact the Holy Ghost Committee at info@grandesfestas.org.

You can also visit their website: grandesfestas.com. The website is in both English and Portuguese, and also contains directions to the feast as well as entertainment schedules and procession maps.

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Great Feast of the Holy Ghost 2023 itinerary for events in Fall River