New Bedford Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Booth 21 Explained

If you've ever wandered through the rows of food booths at New Bedford's Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, you may have noticed something that doesn't quite add up.

Booth No. 21 sits right alongside booths numbered 10 and 11, and I've been scratching my head for years wondering if it was it a mistake or simply just a quirky feast tradition I was unaware of.

While broadcasting live from the 110th Feast with The MGM Show, we finally got the answer from longtime volunteer and proud Madeiran Mike Canastra, better known to many as the man behind the famous malasadas at Barraca 21. According to Canastra, it isn't a mystery after all. The booth was simply built after the original row of stands had already been numbered.

Why Booth 21 Is Out of Order

"That stand was built after the fact of all the other stands that were in place," Canastra explained. "We just continued the number system, and it ended up 21 over there." For reference, Barraca 20 is where you can find the famous feast codfish cakes and milho fritos down by the carne de espeto pit.

New Bedford Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Booth 21 Explained — Courtesy Ryan Sturtevant

Today, Booth 21 has become one of the feast's best-known stops, serving thousands of fresh malasadas throughout the weekend. Canastra said it is nonstop work, but thanks to a dedicated crew, the operation runs like clockwork despite the long lines and the out-of-numerical-order barraca.

5 Underrated Foods at New Bedford's Portuguese Feast

Besides the bifanas, cacoila and carne de espeto, here are five underrated Portuguese dishes and treats you have to try at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.

Gallery Credit: Gazelle