Fun, Food and Tradition at 2024 Feast of the Blessed Sacrament

The 108th Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is right around the corner in New Bedford, and organizers say there will be free, almost non-stop entertainment, a carnival and games, delicious Portuguese food and drink, and lots of tradition.

The Feast will kick off on Thursday, August 1 and continue through Sunday, August 4 at the Madeira Feast Grounds in the North End. Admission is free.

Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento President Tim Rodrigues and 2024 Feast President Tony Abreu stopped by Townsquare Sunday to give us a preview.

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Both men say they remember growing up with the feast, spending a lot of time on the feast grounds helping family members performed various tasks. Now, they are serving in important volunteer positions.

"My father served as Feast President in 1967, I served as President in 2000 and now I'm Club President and my children are part of it. It's a family tradition," Rodrigues said.

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One change this year is the admission of women as Festieras, or official members of the Feast Committee, a move that Tim Rodrigues called a momentous change.

"We could not run this feast without women, who are family members, volunteers and now Feast Committee members," he said. "With new people come new ideas. I think its a very positive thing, and its going to be good."

They estimate almost 40 female members have joined the committee this year.

Officials are expecting more than 100,000 people to attend the Feast, and they will enjoy lots of traditional entertainment.

"Performers will include a folkloric group from Madeira, plus a few Portuguese-headlining acts, including singer Nelia, and a tribute band called Badfish," Abreu said.

Another highlight is the giant parade held Sunday afternoon, starting at Brooklawn Park on Acushnet Avenue and down Earle Street to the feast grounds on Madeira Avenue.

"We have many local bands and floats involved in this year's parade, plus many folkloric and cultural groups from around the area," Abreu said. "We want to represent the city of New Bedford as much as possible in the parade, and not just us."

Visit feastoftheblessedsacrament.com for a complete rundown of performers and other attractions.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.