Holy Ghost Festival Parade Led by Tradition

Spectators lined Main Street Sunday morning to catch a glimpse of some dazzling queens and participate in the 140th Portuguese Holy Ghost (Pentecost) Festival organized by the IDES Society. Though the 10 a.m. morning procession took place in weather more suited for warm coats than fancy dresses, the parade marchers and queens remained poised and elegant as they led the tradition through Main Street.

“It’s very important for Portuguese people to have this tradition,” said Maria Machado. “We ask the Holy Ghost to help us with everything and we must give something back.”

Machado immigrated to Half Moon Bay from the Sao Jorge Island in the Azores 43 years ago. She remembers celebrating the festival as a child in Portugal and has watched her children and grandchildren grow each year with the annual festival as she greeted visitors in the Crown Room and spoke of the charitable Queen Isabel.

“Faith is the first thing we should remember,” Machado said.

Former Half Moon Bay resident and 1986 queen Orlanda Soares watched the parade with nostalgia.

“It’s getting a lot smaller, but it’s good to know that it’s still here,” she said. “It’s part of our heritage and it shows our history.”

Soares said the tradition is beautiful because it proves that each person is part of a caring community and brings a sense of belonging.

Fellow parade attendee Rosa Avila spoke of the spiritual importance of maintaining the Pentecost festival.

 “It is to keep our faith and show us that miracles do happen,” she said.

The festival is rooted in religion and Portuguese culture. In the 14th century, several violent earthquakes struck the Azores leaving a famine to sweep across the islands. Queen Isabel of Portugal, known for her charitable works and devotion to God, relieved the famine by sending provisions to the suffering. With this, she began a tradition of feeding and honoring the poor that is still practiced by Portuguese communities throughout the globe.

Now, the queens of Half Moon Bay and surrounding Bay Area communities walk the parade route as a reminder to care for all in the community, regardless of social status or income.

Seven-year-old Briana Becerra acted as a side maid to Half Moon Bay Little Queen Leanne Alves in the parade. Dressed in a beautiful beaded white gown, she smiled and waved as she walked with her friends. Briana and mother Rosa Becerra came from Hayward in order to participate.

“The cultural traditions are fabulous,” Rosa Becerra said. “Times change, but it’s nice to have traditions.”

The Becerra’s were not the only visitors from Half Moon Bay, visiting queens, bands and Portuguese communities from San Jose, , Tracy, Watsonville, Santa Clara, San Leandro, San Francisco. Several other areas joined in celebration as well.

The U.S flag waved next to the Portuguese flag with each organization that marched.

Richard McCluney brought his son and nephew along to watch the parade. Although he is not of Portuguese decent, he said everyone could learn from this beloved tradition.

“”It’s obviously important to the Portuguese and Catholic communities but we enjoy it,” he said.  McCluney also commented on the importance of learning about the customs and traditions of other cultures.

“It sparks the conversation,” he said.

The parade ended at Our Lady of the Pillar with a mass of music, remembrance and thanksgiving.

Though this may be the 140th Holy Ghost Festival in Half Moon Bay, there is no sign of the tradition fading away. Many dedicated members of the IDES Society fully intend to proudly display the community, charity and heritage of the Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival for years to come.

View a full photo gallery of Sunday's parade by Half Moon Bay Patch photographer Stuart Nafey titled "."