The Feast of the Holy Ghost parade made its way up Circuit avenue on Sunday morning, escorted by firetrucks and crowds of well-wishers.

The festivities officially began with a Saturday evening feast, with Sunday’s parade continuing a tradition that dates back nearly 100 years.

People waved small Portuguese flags from the sidewalks and enjoyed music by the Upis Land band, as town officials, cars filled with cheering kids and animals paraded down the street.

Continuing a heartfelt Island tradition. — Ray Ewing

The Feast of the Holy Ghost began on the Island in 1928, hosted by Azorean immigrants who wanted to stay connected to their homeland. The celebration is in honor of Queen Isabel of Portugal, who vowed to sell her crown and jewels if the Holy Spirit helped her people during a period of famine.

Former PA Club president and current board member Gina DeBettencourt grew up coming to the feast. She said traditional Portuguese dancers and large crowds used to take the ferry from New Bedford for the celebration.

The parade started at the Steamship Authority terminal and was led by two Massachusetts state troopers, police chief Jonathan Searle and fire chief Stephen Foster.

Ms. DeBettencourt said the feast welcomes everyone.

Layana Broski carries Queen Isabel’s silver crown. — Ray Ewing

“You don’t have to be Portuguese, everybody’s Portuguese today,” she said

Annually, the event highlights Island children who have received their first communion. Ten-year-old Layana Broski stood at the front of the parade carrying Queen Isabel’s silver crown.

“It was fun knowing that I was the special one,” Layana said.

The lively energy quieted down as everyone approached Oak Grove Cemetery. Each year, a wreath is placed at a statue of Jesus. Since 2001, a wreath has also been placed at the grave of Eric MacLean, the son of former PA Club president Patricia Bergeron who died in a car crash. This year, that wreath also honored the life of Ms. Bergeron, who died in a boating accident with her partner, Roy Scheffer, on New Year’s Day.

Bergeron family lays a wreath at the grave of their matriarch. — Ray Ewing

Two of Ms. Bergeron’s children, Thomas Wilkins and Kristen MacLean, walked hand in hand toward the gravesites as their family and friends followed behind. With tears in their eyes, the siblings lay the wreath beside the graves of Ms. Bergeron and Mr. MacLean.

Ms. MacLean then kissed her hand and touched the top of her mother’s headstone.

Ms. Bergeron’s aunt, Catherine Deese, and her brother added a vase of fresh Dahlias at the grave.

“Those are beautiful Dahlias for you, Tricia, you loved your Dahlias,” Ms. Deese said.

Feast committee feels the moment. — Ray Ewing

Ms. Deese worked at the PA Club for 40 years and organized the feast for seven years. Her father, William Amaral, was one of the men who founded the PA club in 1930.

Ms. Bergeron’s niece, Pamela Gibson Silvia, is now the president of the club. Ms. Silvia is on the feast committee alongside vice president Bertha Blake and Ms. DeBettencourt.

The women said Ms. Bergeron always brought people together.

“Tricia mentored anybody who was near her, whether it be here or the ice arena. She made you want to be a better person,” Ms. DeBettencourt said.

Upis Land Band was out in force. — Ray Ewing

After the wreath ceremony, the parade headed to the PA Club for dancing and eating. Ms. Silvia set the tone with a prayer and a remembrance of Ms. Bergeron.

“The legacy she left behind lives on in every procession, every shared meal, every act of service and every family gathered here today,” Ms. Silvia said. “As we celebrate this feast, we also celebrate her life and the example that she set for all of us. May we honor her memory by continuing to live the values of compassion and service that are the heart of the Holy Ghost Feast and the Portuguese American club as a whole.”

The auction kicked off while people enjoyed fried dough and sopa, a traditional Portuguese soup made with kale and linguica. The first two items auctioned off were lobster and Portuguese bread, with proceeds going to the PA Club’s scholarship fund.

Nearby, Kenny Silvia and Scott Morgan flipped sizzling patties at the burger hut. They have been grilling at the event together for three years, but both men grew up coming to the feast.

Maria Gomes and Alicia Duimaraes help with the food. — Ray Ewing

“I’m 63, and we’ve been coming since we were three,” Mr. Silvia said.

Mr. Morgan said all the volunteers do whatever they can to step up and help make the feast possible.

“It’s an honor to be a part of it,” he said. “I mean, anybody you see here in a green shirt, they’ve all volunteered their time, and you can’t do it without that, not even close.”

Mr. Wilkins and Ms. MacLean said that when they were younger, Ms. Bergeron made them work their way up from the burger hut.

— Ray Ewing

“She always said, ‘this is where you start and put in your time,’” Ms. MacLean said. “I remember slipping and sliding on the greasy floor.”

Mr. Wilkins and Ms. MacLean said this year’s feast was difficult without their mom, but they plan to continue to support the tradition. Their young children were helping out on Sunday, carrying on the family legacy.

“I just hope that the same generosity for the community remains, and that one day they could stand here and say the same things that we are saying: ‘We watched our parents do it,’” Mr. Wilkins said.