New Bedford’s Fall Festa: A Portuguese Pig Roast Worth Raising a Toast of Madeira To

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, the city of New Bedford gears up for a celebration rich in culture and community spirit. The Madeira Fall Festa, set to take place on Saturday, September 21st, from noon to 8:00 PM, promises a day packed with music, food, crafts, and entertainment for all ages.

Nick Vieira, the Fall Festa Special Events Chairman, shared what makes this event unique and how it differs from the widely recognized Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. "The most obvious difference is the length—this is a one-day event running from noon to 8:00 PM," Vieira explained. Despite its shorter duration, the Fall Festa will offer plenty of excitement, from folkloric dancing, courtesy of the Discovery Language Learning Center, to live performances by talented local artists.

The entertainment lineup includes Jake Hunsinger & The Rock Bottom Band, The Liz Spencer Music Band, and award-winning country music artist Nick Bosse & The Northern Roots Band. Additionally, attendees can look forward to line dancing instruction throughout the day, led by Boot Scootin' with Sarah Tripp.

Of course, no festa is complete without a mouth-watering array of food. "We're going to have all our typical Portuguese dishes—linguiça, cacoila—but we're also doing a pig roast," Vieira revealed. The pig roast is a special offering, available on a limited basis for $25, which includes all the fixings like cornbread, coleslaw, and baked beans. Vieira recommends arriving early to secure a ticket for this popular meal, but rest assured, the festa itself is free to attend.

In a shift from previous years, the event will not require tickets for entry, and all ages are welcome. "In the past, we've called it the country music festa, but we did away with that," Vieira said. "This time, we're just opening it all up. So bring the kids, bring everybody."

While the Madeira Fall Festa is not a direct fundraiser for the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, it supports the community in its own right. "Every dollar that we take in gets back to the community in some way," Vieira emphasized, highlighting the club's commitment to giving back.

For those who enjoy the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, the Fall Festa will feel familiar. "The food and drinks are all the same prices that you would pay during the feast," Vieira noted. And yes, for the enthusiasts, the authentic Madeira wine will be flowing.

Mark your calendars for September 21st and head to the Feast Grounds at 50 Madeira Avenue to experience a day filled with Portuguese culture, music, and, of course, delicious food.