By Beth David, Editor
Dubbed “The Biggest Little Feast,” the Our Lady of Angels annual Portuguese “festa” lived up to its name this weekend. Despite a slight dip in attendance during the evening hours, largely attributed to the EEE scare, most food vendors said they were selling food at a good pace. The weather was great all three days, and the procession on Monday proceeded as planned. The 89-year-old statue was repainted this year and a new base was constructed and attached just last week. The new base has an aluminum frame, and a different system for carrying.
The old system used four short poles that were inserted at the two front corners and the two back corners. Four people would carry using those poles and two people, one on each side, would also stand in the middle.
The new system uses two long poles that go right through the base and allow for two people in front and two people in back carrying on each pole for a total of eight people carrying, with no one in the middle.
The statue weighs about 700 pounds, the new base weighs 266 pounds (90 pounds heavier than the old base), and the poles, made from Douglas Fir, weigh 75 pounds combined.
OLOA members carried the statue from St. Mary’s Church on Main Street in Fairhaven to Benoit Square and back again on Monday, the third and last day of the feast.
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For more photos of this event by Glenn C. Silva, visit https://photos.app.goo.gl/p9RYNecnUe4hA7YB8
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- Cooking bifana and carne de espeto with a smile at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- Members of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Association position the 700 pound statue of OLOA to hook the wreath of money during the procession at the 89th annual OLOA feast in Fairhaven on Monday, 9/2/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- The grill chefs give a big smile for the local free sheet at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- In addition to angels and people carrying statues, marching bands are also a serious part of the procession, and this little guy has his best suit on and his best instrument to play during the procession at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/2/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- The kitchen crew, where full meals are served at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- It is an honor for children of all ages to march in the procession at the Our Lady of Angels Feast, and this little girl flahes her best smile for the camera as she makes her way down Main Street during the procession at the 89th annual OLOA feast in Fairhaven on 9/2/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- The Magnolia Avenue crew humors the local free sheet with a quick pose during the procession at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- The malassadas cooking crew, Justina Viveiros, Shawna Jones, Scott Francis, and Dorothy Cox, at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on Sunday, 9/1/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- This young whippersnapper found the perfect perch, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, to watch the procession at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- This gang at 400 Main Street greets the Neighb News with smiles and waves during the procession at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- A group of women from the Legion of Mary carry a statue of the Blessed Mother Mary during the procession at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/2/19. Photo by Beth David. y
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- Brooke Benoit, 7, holds the pillow during the procession at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/2/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
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- People dance the night away at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva
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- People toss donations into the sheet during the procession at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/2/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
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- Eratoxica takes the stage on Sunday night and gets people dancing the night away at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/1/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva
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- (L-R) Isabel and Carlos Botelho sit under the shade of an umbrella on Main Street waiting for the procession to pass by at the 89th annual Our Lady of Angels feast in Fairhaven on 9/2/19. The Dartmouth couple have been married 45 years and always make the procession. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
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Click here to download the entire 9/5/10 issue: 09-05-19 OLOA Feast
