The Gustine Pentecost Society will host its annual festa starting July 18 and concluding on July 22.
The festa will feature traditional activities including processions, entertainment, rosaries, meals and bloodless bullfights.
Serving as the Presidents this year are Manuel and Darlene Lopes.
The senior queen is Kylee Lopes, the daughter of Manuel and Darlene Lopes. Her sidemaids are Cheyanne Verissimo, daughter of Joe and Diana Verissimo and Kaliah Soares, daughter of Kevin and Shealyn Soares.
The junior queen is Emma Lopes, daughter of Manuel and Darlene Lopes. Her sidemaids are Addison grove, daughter of Ryan and Debbie Grove and Audrey Etheridge, daughter of Chris and Adelaide Etheridge.
A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. July 18 and July 19 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles in Gustine with Father Isaac of Hilmar. At 9 p.m. on July 19 there will an evening of fados at the GPS Hall. Singers include Maria Emilia of Portugal, Jose Geadas of Portugal, Sandra Pacheco of San Jose and Samantha Rocha of San Jose. Playing guitars will be Helder Carvailheira, Steve Soares and Alcino Carvailheira.
A sopas take-out and drive through will be in operation from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. at the hall on July 20.
The festivities get into full swing with the bodo de leite, or parade of animals, which forms at 10 a.m. July 20 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles. The procession will make its way to the GPS Hall. The afternoon includes an auction of animals, a performance by the band Sociedade Filarmonica Lira Acoriana of Livingston, and a meal of beef stew.
Following a 7 p.m. mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles, a procession with the crowns of the Holy Spirit will travel to the GPS Hall. A dance will follow with music by Mostardas Sertanejo of Terceira. Cantoria will be outside the hall and performed by Cantadores John Branco of Terceira, Jose Fernandes of Terceira, Mario Fernandes of Canada, Jose Ribeiro of Modesto and Antonio Azevedo of Hilmar. Tocadores are Dimas Toledo of Turlock, Steve Soares of Turlock, Gino Almeida of Hilmar and Tommy Viera of Hilmar.
The evening will conclude with the presentation of the queens and the officers at 10 p.m.
The traditional parade of visiting queens will be held the morning of July 21. The procession forms at 9 a.m. at the GPS Hall and will march to the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles, where the 10:30 a.m. mass will be celebrated by Father Isaac and the OLM Choir.
Sopas will be served upon the return of the procession to the GPS Hall following mass.
At 3 p.m. there will be an auction of donated gifts at the hall.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at the chapel in the hall, followed by a meal of sopas and a dance.
The bloodless bullfights will be held July 22 at Bella Vista Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. The bullfights begin at 8 p.m. The horsemen are Paulo J. Ferreira of Hilmar and Joao Pamplona of Portugal. Suicide Squads are Amadores of Turlock, captained by George Martins Jr. and Amadores of Merced, captained by Joao Azevedo. The band is Azores Band of Escalon.
Admission for the bullfights is $25 for adults and children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
