Holy Ghost Festival Is This Weekend In Fall River

Although it may be the largest Portuguese-American celebration

in the U.S., New Bedford's Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is not the only one in the Southcoast area.  This weekend, the 26th Holy Ghost festival of New England is up and running at Fall River's Kennedy Park.

The festival runs through Monday and organizers are expecting a total of 150,000 people from all over the U.S., Canada and other countries to attend.   Much like the Madeira feast in New Bedford, the Fall River festival features Portuguese food,  including the famous Azorean sweet bread "malassadas."    There's also folk dance, bazaars, live music and other entertainment.   Admission is free.

There'll also be a parade on Sunday that will travel South Main Street, and will include over 100 Holy Ghost guilds, over 20 marching bands, and many floats.   Carlos Cesar, the outgoing President of the Government of the Azores will be the guest of honor.