New Bedford Airport Gets into the Feast Spirit with Epic Stunt

The 108^th Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is officially underway in New Bedford and the city is buzzing.

The smell of the carne espeto and the sounds of Portuguese music fill the air again, and whether you are of Portuguese descent or not, chances are you’ll be stopping by the Madeira feast grounds this week to join in the celebrations.

To commemorate the beginning of this year’s festivities, New Bedford Regional Airport put on their party hat ... literally.

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A giant, traditional Portuguese hat was “placed” on top of the airport’s control tower, overlooking the airport below.

“Getting into the Feast spirit!” the airport said online.

The traditional Portuguese hat is called a carapuça, and you'll see plenty of them at Madeira Field this weekend.

READ MORE: Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Will Be Nationally Televised for the Very First Time

“The carapuça, or pigtail cap, was worn by Madeiran men and women in the 19^th century,” the Metropolitan Museum said. “The shallow crown was often tilted jauntily to the side, adding personality to this unique and distinctive form.”

The carapuça on top of the airport’s control tower is perfectly tilted and its arguably the largest carapuça we’ve ever seen.

Is the hat real? No, it appears to be just a playful use of Photoshop. But it served its purpose of getting us "excitado" for the feast.

The 108^th Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is monumental. Not only is it the first year with women on the board, but it is also the first year the parade will be nationally televised.

If only they had a giant carapuça to place on the main stage.

Maybe next year!