By Beth David, Editor
The new security measures did not deter feastgoers at the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast this weekend. Opening night was jam packed, and the wait at the entrance was minimal. Volunteers checked bags in one spot and used metal detector wands to check people as they came through the entrance.
And the malasadas line stretched all the way to the end of the band stand.
Dubbed “The biggest little feast,” the OLOA annual feast runs for three days over Labor Day weekend. It features Portuguese and American food and entertainment, activities for children, vendors, and lots and lots of food and drink.
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- Karen Diggins is all smiles when she finally gets to the window of malasadas booth after waiting in line for more than 30 minutes on opening night of the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 8/30/25. Photo by Beth David.
Karen Diggins, Carol Medeiros, and a couple of other friends had been waiting for about a half-hour, when they finally got very close to the window.
Is it worth the wait? A resounding “yes,” rang through the air.
“I’d wait five days for these,” said Ms. Diggins.
Best friends, Dina Melo, Nina Desousa, and Jennifer Valente said they were not keeping track of how long they were waiting.
“It’s 100 percent worth it,” said Ms. Desousa.
“It’s well worth the wait,” said Ms. Valente.
John Souza and John Bonanca had only been waiting 15 minutes, but they still had a way to go. They both agreed, however, that it would be worth it, no matter how long they had to wait in line.
Neither one was bothered by the new security measures.
“I guess they’ve got to do it,” said Mr. Souza. “It didn’t bother me. They’re doing it for the betterment of people.”
“Today, you have to do a lot that,” said Mr. Bonanca.
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- L-R: Dina Melo, Nina Desousa, and Jennifer Valente pose for the local free sheet while waiting in the malasadas line on opening night of the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 8/30/25. Photo by Beth David.
Kelly Theodore, George, and Melissa King had all been waitiing for about 35 minutes, agreeing it is worth the wait.
“It’s always good,” said Ms. King.
She said she was not bothered by the new security measures, although she missed her short cut on Daniel Street because the entrance is on the other side.
“I feel like it’s more safe,” she said. “I’d rather feel safe than not safe.”
Steve Nogueira, Chris DaCruz, and Rodney DaCruz have been attending the feast for years.
“The favas are the best,” said Chris.
Rodney, 55, said he has been every year since he was 18 years old,
They all said they had no problem with the new security measures.
“It’s all right,” said Rodney. “It’s not bad.”
“I think everyone is doing it now,” said Mr. Nogueira. “If people act like morons, you have to.”
“It’s expected,” said Chris.
Young Scarlet, however, was quite oblivious to the question. She has attended the feast for all of her seven years and likes the clam cakes best.
Erin Murphy snuck taking a break from the malasadas booth with her friend, Kyle. Ms. Murphy said she and her friends were in charge for the first time this year, taking over for her father, Charlie Murphy.
“The next generation is taking over,” said Kyle.
In a press release, Fairhaven Police said that the enhanced security measures resulted in no complaints by neighbors of unsupervised youth in the neighborhood, a problem in the past.
Police did respond to an “isolated physical altercation” outside the grounds involving two adult men late Saturday, 8/30. One man sustained a minor injury and was transported to the hospital. A juvenile accompanying one of the men was determined to be intoxicated and was picked up at the police station by a parent.
“No arrests were made. The situation was quickly resolved and did not impact the larger event,” police wrote.
People may have noticed a couple of ambulances leaving the grounds on opening day. The incidents were for medical issues not related to violence.
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- The Our Lady of Angels statue hooks the money ring on its way to the procession on the last day of the 95th OLOA feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/25. Photo by Margie Green Joseph.
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- Confetti flies after the arm of the Our Lady of Angels statue hooks the money ring on its way to the procession on the last day of the 95th OLOA feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/25. Photo by Margie Green Joseph.
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- Members of the Our Lady of Angels Catholic Association carry the 800-pound statue in the procession down Main Street on the last day of the 95th OLOA feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/25. Photo by Margie Green Joseph.
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- Volunteers of the Our Lady of Angels Catholic Association pose for the local free sheet on opening night of the 95th feast on 8/30/25, L-R, BACK: John Barbosa, President of the Our Lady of Angels Association; Joe Mello; Manny Mello (seated), VP of OLOA Assn.; Holly Mello (front). Photo by Beth David.
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- Volunteer Peter Kobza tosses a malasada into the sugar bin after drying off the oil on opening night of the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 8/30/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Volunteers fry up the malasadas on opening night of the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 8/30/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Children dance to the music on opening night of the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 8/30/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Some young friends pose for the local free sheet on opening night of the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 8/30/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Gary Souza puts a wrist band on a patron so he can buy alcohol on opening night of the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 8/30/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Scott Francis and Savannah Jones goof around a bit while mixing the ingredients for the dough for the malasadas on opening night of the 95th Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 8/30/25. Photo by Beth David.
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