The 97th Annual Feast of The Holy Ghost Returns

Megan Azendes carries the crown through Oak Bluffs.
Megan Azendes carries the crown through Oak Bluffs.
Tim Johnson
Megan Azendes carries the crown through Oak Bluffs.
Megan Azendes carries the crown through Oak Bluffs.
Tim Johnson
The Upisland Band leads the way up Circuit avenue.
The Upisland Band leads the way up Circuit avenue.
Tim Johnson
The Upisland Band leads the way up Circuit avenue.
The Upisland Band leads the way up Circuit avenue.
Tim Johnson
The parade makes its way back to the PA Club.
The parade makes its way back to the PA Club.
Tim Johnson
The parade makes its way back to the PA Club.
The parade makes its way back to the PA Club.
Tim Johnson
Mason Fischer (center) of the Upisland Band is getting in the spirit.
Mason Fischer (center) of the Upisland Band is getting in the spirit.
Tim Johnson
Mason Fischer (center) of the Upisland Band is getting in the spirit.
Mason Fischer (center) of the Upisland Band is getting in the spirit.
Tim Johnson
Oak Bluffs fire trucks bring up the rear.
Oak Bluffs fire trucks bring up the rear.
Tim Johnson
Oak Bluffs fire trucks bring up the rear.
Oak Bluffs fire trucks bring up the rear.
Tim Johnson
Oak Bluffs Chief of Police Jonathan Searle salutes the parade as it passes.
Oak Bluffs Chief of Police Jonathan Searle salutes the parade as it passes.
Tim Johnson
Oak Bluffs Chief of Police Jonathan Searle salutes the parade as it passes.
Oak Bluffs Chief of Police Jonathan Searle salutes the parade as it passes.
Tim Johnson
The next generation keeps the tradition going strong.
The next generation keeps the tradition going strong.
Tim Johnson
The next generation keeps the tradition going strong.
The next generation keeps the tradition going strong.
Tim Johnson
Cecilio and Chilmark join in the fun.
Cecilio and Chilmark join in the fun.
Tim Johnson
Cecilio and Chilmark join in the fun.
Cecilio and Chilmark join in the fun.
Tim Johnson
The parade always makes a stop in the cemetery to pay its respects.
The parade always makes a stop in the cemetery to pay its respects.
Tim Johnson
The parade always makes a stop in the cemetery to pay its respects.
The parade always makes a stop in the cemetery to pay its respects.
Tim Johnson
Feast time is party time.
Feast time is party time.
Ray Ewing
Feast time is party time.
Feast time is party time.
Ray Ewing
Mo's lunch helped out with the food.
Mo's lunch helped out with the food.
Ray Ewing
Mo's lunch helped out with the food.
Mo's lunch helped out with the food.
Ray Ewing
Having fun making the malasada fried dough.
Having fun making the malasada fried dough.
Ray Ewing
Having fun making the malasada fried dough.
Having fun making the malasada fried dough.
Ray Ewing
Lobsters aree a favorite auction item.
Lobsters aree a favorite auction item.
Ray Ewing
Lobsters aree a favorite auction item.
Lobsters aree a favorite auction item.
Ray Ewing
Sean DeBettencourt holds court as the auctioneer.
Sean DeBettencourt holds court as the auctioneer.
Ray Ewing
Sean DeBettencourt holds court as the auctioneer.
Sean DeBettencourt holds court as the auctioneer.
Ray Ewing
The Jelly Roll Horns get the party started.
The Jelly Roll Horns get the party started.
Ray Ewing
The Jelly Roll Horns get the party started.
The Jelly Roll Horns get the party started.
Ray Ewing
The sopa is always a favorite.
The sopa is always a favorite.
Ray Ewing
The sopa is always a favorite.
The sopa is always a favorite.
Ray Ewing
The grill team working overtime for the burger hut.
The grill team working overtime for the burger hut.
Ray Ewing
The grill team working overtime for the burger hut.
The grill team working overtime for the burger hut.
Ray Ewing
Megan Azendes carries the crown through Oak Bluffs.
The Upisland Band leads the way up Circuit avenue.
The parade makes its way back to the PA Club.
Mason Fischer (center) of the Upisland Band is getting in the spirit.
Oak Bluffs fire trucks bring up the rear.
Oak Bluffs Chief of Police Jonathan Searle salutes the parade as it passes.
The next generation keeps the tradition going strong.
Cecilio and Chilmark join in the fun.
The parade always makes a stop in the cemetery to pay its respects.
Feast time is party time.
Mo's lunch helped out with the food.
Having fun making the malasada fried dough.
Lobsters aree a favorite auction item.
Sean DeBettencourt holds court as the auctioneer.
The Jelly Roll Horns get the party started.
The sopa is always a favorite.
The grill team working overtime for the burger hut.

The Portugese-American Club in Oak Bluffs hosted the annual Feast of the Holy Ghost for its 97th year. The tradition began on Saturday with the feast featuring portugese classics like the sopa and malasada fried dough. Then on Sunday, the parade made its way through Oak Bluffs carryin Queen Isabel's crown back to the PA Club.

 

 

 
parade

Tricia Bergeron Plans a Feast Fit for Queen

Ivy Ashe

On Wednesday morning, the Portuguese-American (P.A.) Club in Oak Bluffs is nearly unrecognizable: It’s quiet both inside and out, a far cry from the exuberant bustle that will surround the modest building on Vineyard avenue this weekend during the annual Holy Ghost Feast. The only sign that the Feast will take place soon are two small tents standing in the parking lot.

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Emily Chloe Hope

Holy Ghost Festival Is Sopalicious

Ivy Ashe
Although it occurs in the summer, the Feast of the Holy Ghost, which took place last weekend at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs, transcends the seasons.
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boy

Traditions Live in Holy Ghost Festival

With the mercury topping 90, Islanders elsewhere complained about the mugginess, but at the weekend’s annual Feast of the Holy Ghost, the prevailing atmosphere was, as ever, the light spirit of generosity.

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parade

Fathers, Sons and Holy Ghost Festival: Families Carry On Portuguese Tradition

Liz Weiss

The scene at the Portuguese-American Club Saturday night smelled of fresh fried dough, sweet bread, marinated shish-kebabs over the fire, Cacoila (Portuguese stew), and of course, of sopa, the soup that Islanders of all heritages associate so much with this annual celebration of the Feast of the Holy Ghost.

“It takes a lot of people to make it all work,” said longtime coordinator Tricia Bergeron. And a lot of people volunteer, year after year.

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Sopa for Sale Holy Ghost Feast Honors Heritage of Portuguese

Mark Alan Lovewell

Holy Ghost Feast Honors Heritage of Portuguese

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

Two days of celebration begin tomorrow in the annual Feast of the Holy Ghost. Islanders of Portuguese heritage and their friends will party, dine and parade in a festival whose traditions date back more than half a century.

"This is our heritage," said Bobbie Ann Gibson of Oak Bluffs, president of the Holy Ghost Association.

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