By Beth David, Editor
Our Lady of Angels grounds were hopping with a packed crowd of all ages this weekend for the 96th annual Feast. Dubbed the Biggest-Little Feast, the traditional Portuguese festa is smaller than its counterpart in New Bedford, but more than makes up for it in enthusiasm.
Generations of families make it a point to attend the feast, nights, days, both, and get some authentic Portuguese specialties, such as carne de espeto, bifana, favas, classic linguica sandwiches and more.
The malasadas booth had the longest line, as usual, and the end product did not disappoint.
The event is the major fund-raiser for the OLOA Catholic Association.
On Saturday, it was a bit of a mad-house, in a good way. The line to get in past security moved quickly, and then things got bottled up at the ticket machines. But, there were no complaints, just people enjoying the cooler night.
Fernando and Sherry said they attend every year.
“If I’m home I’m here,” said Fernando, a fisherman.
“Every year,” said Sherry, since they were “little kids.”
They were sharing an order of clamcakes and both agreed they were very good….as always.
Don Mulcare and Karen Walega had only been in the malasada line for about 10 minutes, but they were looking at at least a 30 minute wait.
“You could get a pension waiting for them,” said Mr. Mulcare, adding it was definitely worth the wait.
“I’ve waited an hour before,” said Ms. Walega. “It’s worth it.”
Jason Matos, Kareron Colton, and Nayl Depina, all from New Bedford, were there for the first time and trying to navigate how to get food (you have to buy tickets first) and getting the lay of the land.
They found out about it from a friend and decided to check it out.
“It’s really small, compared to the New Bedford one,” said Mr. Colton.
“It’s pretty nice,” said Mr. Matos.
“I agree, it’s really nice,” said Mr. Depina.
“There’s a lot of people,” said Mr. Matos.
Chad and Jenn live across the street from the feast grounds and look forward to the feast every year.
“I love it, love it, love it,” said Jenn.
They said the increased security, put in place a couple of years ago after a fight that was in front of their house, is a good thing.
“They were very quick with it,” said Jenn.
On Monday, the procession traveled from St. Mary’s Church up Main Street to Benoit Square and back. Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks to watch
“We love this place,” said Joe Tavares as he sat on some steps with Louie Raposo.
Mr. Raposo said the cacoila was his next stop.
The 800 pound statue of OLOA, carried by eight men, successfully put her arm through the ring of money hung on a high wire at the end of church driveway. The procession included marching bands, a smaller version of the OLOA statue, and other religious statues carried by different groups. Music played on the grounds throughout the feast, and a few vendors and activities for kids rounded out the weekend.
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- The arm of the Our Lady of Angels statue catches the money wreath from a high wire during the procession at the OLOA Feast on 9/7/26 in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- The confetti starts to fly immediately after the arm of the Our Lady of Angels statue caught the money wreath from a high wire during the procession at the OLOA Feast on 9/7/26 in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- Eight men carry the 800-pound Our Lady of Angels statue in the procession at the OLOA Feast on 9/7/26 in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- The children march in the procession at the Our Lady of Angels Feast on 9/7/26 in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- Four young women carry a bit of a smaller statue in the procession at the Our Lady of Angels Feast on 9/7/26 in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- Hardwire took the stage to a packed crowd from 8 p.m. to Midnight on day 1, 9/5/26, of the Our Lady of Angels Feast in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn Silva.
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- Hardwire took the stage to a packed crowd from 8 p.m. to Midnight on day 1, 9/5/26, of the Our Lady of Angels Feast in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn Silva.
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- L-R Rowen Texiera, Jakob Francis, Carson Camara mix a batch of Malasada dough on Sunday, 9/6/26 at the Our Lady of Angels Feast in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn Silva.
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- Some members of the downstairs kitchen crew pause long enough to pose for the local free sheet on Day 1, 9/5/26, of the Our Lady of Angels Feast in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn Silva.
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- Some members of the downstairs kitchen crew pause long enough to pose for the local free sheet on Day 1, 9/5/26, of the Our Lady of Angels Feast in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn Silva.
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- It’s all hands on deck making malasadas on Day 1, 9/5/26, of the Our Lady of Angels Feast in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- The malasadas crew pauses to pose for the local free sheet on Day 1, 9/5/26, of the Our Lady of Angels Feast in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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- Chad and Jenn chow down on pizza and pose for the local free sheet on Day 1, 9/5/26, of the Our Lady of Angels Feast in Fairhaven. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the 9/10/26 issue: 09-10-26 OLOA Feast
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