It’s been four years since the Holy Ghost Society held its traditional Feast of the Holy Ghost, a longstanding summer tradition. But this weekend, the Feast returns, welcoming seasoned revelers and newcomers.
The Feast honors the generosity of Queen Isabella of Aragon, who gave to charity and fed the poor, as well as celebrates the Vineyard’s Portuguese maritime heritage. The Holy Ghost Society, based at the Portuguese American Club on Vineyard avenue in Oak Bluffs, has celebrated the tradition for more than 100 years.
Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Portuguese American Club. There will be live music, slides, a bounce house and other games for children, and an auction to raise scholarship money for Island children. Two things that always draw a crowd are traditional Portuguese sopa (soup) and malasada (fried dough).
Events on Sunday begin at 11:30 a.m. when members of the recent communion class lead a procession featuring Queen Isabella’s crown. The parade begins outside the police station, then heads up Circuit avenue and then to Vineyard avenue, with a stop at the cemetery to lay a wreath. The destination is the Portuguese American Club, where at 1 p.m. the festivities resume until 4 p.m. Free sopa will be given out in honor of the queen’s charity.
The return of the Feast is an emotional experience for Gina deBettencourt, president of the Holy Ghost Society.
“Traditions like this are important,” she said. “This, the fireworks, the street fair — all of these things have been going on for years. We’re hoping kids will grab onto the Feast as a tradition. It’s such a blessing to be able to do it.”
