Vila da Franca do Campo Fire Dept. Band takes part in the Bodo do Leite
The Charanga dos Bombeiros de Vila Franca do Campo of S. Miguel, Azores, marches in the Bodo do Leite parade as part of the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of N.E.
- The Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England in Fall River lasts from Wednesday to Sunday.
- Parking can be scarce in the area of Kennedy Park with tens of thousands of people expected to visit.
- Visitors coming from the rail route and New Bedford have some public transit options to try.
FALL RIVER — The Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England is getting under way this week, the annual celebration of Azorean Portuguese culture that draws tens of thousands of visitors from across the region — and across the Atlantic.
This is the first year of the feast with Fall River linked to the MBTA commuter rail, giving people in communities between Boston and the SouthCoast another way to get here and join the fun.
Parking near the feast grounds can be very scarce, so people may be looking for ways to travel without their cars.
If you’re looking for some easy alternative ways to get to the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost, here’s what to do:
Where and when is the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost in Fall River?
The festa takes place in Kennedy Park from Wednesday to Sunday, Aug. 20 to 24.
- Wednesday events begin at 5 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday events run from 4 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday events run from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., including the Bodo do Leite parade in the morning.
- Sunday events run from noon to 10 p.m., including the solemn Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary at noon and the crowning procession at 2 p.m.
Can you get to the Holy Ghost feast from the South Coast Rail?
The Fall River/New Bedford Line of the commuter rail connects cities from Boston to Taunton to Fall River. Check the MBTA’s spring/summer schedule to see what trains will get you into the city — but keep in mind that there are many more trains available on weekdays than on weekends. Headed out of Fall River on the weekend, your last train would leave at 9 p.m.
How do you get from Fall River Depot train station to the Holy Ghost feast?
To get from the train station to Kennedy Park without a car, there are a few options.
- SRTA’s MicroConnector app can take passengers to and from Kennedy Park and the train station, but it’s only available on weekdays from 5 to 9 p.m. Use their app to call for a ride, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The cost is $1 per rider, or 50 cents for riders age 6 to 11 and 65 and older, and free for kids under 6.
- Fall River Taxi is available at 508-673-5843 and operates from early morning to late night.
- Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft operate in Fall River. A ride will generally cost around $10.
- A short walk from the train station, pick up SRTA bus service at North Main Street and President Avenue, the 102 Route. Take that to the bus terminal, then hop on a 103 bus, which stops right outside Kennedy Park. The buses are fare-free.
Can you get to the Holy Ghost feast from New Bedford?
For those in New Bedford looking to get to the Holy Ghost feast, SRTA runs fare-free buses between the two cities — including an express service that takes off every hour and is a 25-minute ride. Check the schedule at srtabus.com to see when it’s available.
From the Fall River bus terminal, it’s a short trip on the 103 bus to Kennedy Park.
Be aware, though, that intercity bus service on the weekends ends before 8 p.m.
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