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Annual Festa celebration this weekend at FESM Hall
FESM Festa
Fr. Ramakoti Sakani of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church recites prayers and blessing of the food that will be served at this weekend’s 92nd annual Festa do Espirito de Manteca at the FESM Hall. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT

 FESM Hall will host its annual Festa do Espirito Santo, or the Holy Spirit Festa, this weekend.

Featured will be Andrew and Elizabeth Melo serving as “Presidente” and Blake and Stephanie Gonzalves as “Vice Presidente.”

As for royalty, Saphira Melo is this year’s “Rainha Grande,” or Big Queen. She’ll be joined by Caroline Vieira and Riley Miranda.

Cassisa Melo is the “Rainha Pequena,” with Madilyn Coelho and Kaylee Fernandes serving as the Little Side Maids. The “Rei” is Andre Melo.

The FESM Hall is located at 230 N. Main St., Manteca.

Among the highlights planned for this 92nd annual celebration:

  • Saturday – 6:30 p.m., the recitation of the Rosary; 8 p.m. to 12 midnight, Dance with Sem Duvido; 9 p.m., Presentation of the Queens and the committee.

  • Sunday – 9:30 a.m., Formation of the parade to St. Anthony’s Church; 10:30 a.m., Celebration of the mass by Bishop Myron J. Cotta; 1 p.m., Lunch of Sopa and meat served to everyone present; 2 p.m., Auction of Gifts; 6 p.m., Dinner of Sopa and meat served to everyone present; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Dance with Alcides Machado and Luis Silva.

The tradition of Festas dates back to 1269 with Queen Isabel, who was seen with roses in one hand a small loaf of bread on the other.

Festas, locally, are held on weekends from April through August in areas settled by early immigrants from Portugal and the Azores Islands.