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Feast of the Blessed Sacrament collection

 Collection
Identifier: MC-227

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of ephemera that documents the history of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.

Dates

  • 1951, 1980-1983

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Per the official website of the Feast:

Founded in 1915 by four Madeiran immigrant men who wanted to recreate the religious festivals that were so common in the villages of their home island and to commemorate their safe passage to these American shores, this traditional mid-summer gathering for family and friends has become the Largest Portuguese Feast in the World and the largest ethnic festival in New England. The Feast attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe.

Throughout its history, men of Madeiran heritage and their families have made the feast possible by their generous contributions of time and labor. Each year at the conclusion of the feast, the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento selects a committee of festeiros to organize the next year's event. One must first serve on a Feast Committee to be eligible for full membership in the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, Inc. A club member may serve on a Feast Committee only once every five years with the exception of special anniversary years. All members of the Feast Committee can trace their Madeiran Portuguese heritage through at least one of their parents.

The Feast has something to please everyone. Presenting a delightful menu of Portuguese cuisine and continuous Entertainment at four performance locations including cabaret performances in our museum courtyard. Plus, we present a full carnival midway of rides and games. Each year on Sunday, we bring the city of New Bedford's largest parade to the streets of the North End.

At this years Feast, more than 100,000 visitors are expected to enter the grounds of the feast - all at no charge. The Feast with all of its entertainment remains an admission free event. Come see for yourself and bring your family.

The Feast is an opportunity for all to share in the rich Madeiran heritage and family values. Since 1998, the Feast has presented a special Saturday afternoon of children's entertainment. The Kid's Day program has grown over the years and this year is chock full of wonderful entertainment that will please the child in us all.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (One half size letter manuscript box )

Language of Materials

English

Portuguese

Title
Feast of the Blessed Sacrament collection
Status
Completed
Author
Sonia Pacheco
Date
April 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Edition statement
Revised by Judy Farrar May 2022.

Repository Details

Part of the UMass Dartmouth Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives Repository

Contact:
Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Rd.
N. Dartmouth MA 02747 USA