Once a year, every year, for the past 98 years, the annual Portuguese Feast of the Blessed Sacrament takes place on less than one city block in a residential area of New Bedford’s north end.
Hardly the place you would expect to find thousands flocking to enjoy food, music, entertainment and family reunions . . . but they do.
The Feast is a heartfelt celebration of Madeiran Portuguese culture, cuisine, and tradition. Over the four days, people of all ages and all nationalities gather at what has become known as “Madeira Field.”
Tradition and heritage
An integral part of Madeiran culture is performed every night when the award-winning folkloric dancers perform traditional dances on the main stage.
The Courtyard Café at the Museum of Madeiran Heritage (free admission) also features traditional Portuguese music, from Fado singers to mandolin players. The Café has become hugely successful for those who want to enjoy a quiet garden atmosphere away from the excitement of the main Feast, less than half a block away.
For those with a healthy appetite, full dinners featuring a broad menu of roast chicken, beef, pork, codfish, tuna, rabbit and goat are available in the main dining pavilion. All meals are prepared using traditional Madeiran recipes.
FOOD
The 2012 Feast will introduce a new food item, milho frito. This is a simple mixture of cornmeal, garlic, bits of finely chopped kale and water that is thoroughly mixed and refrigerated before being cut into small bite-sized cubes and fried. It is a traditional Madeiran accompaniment to almost any meal, but especially with carned’espeto, which is one of the Feast’s most popular items. The milho frito will be sold in a new baracca (food stand) near the barbecue pit and will be reasonably priced.
read all about the festival in the July issue of the South Coast Insider
