A tradition of culture and faith came alive on Gustine’s streets again with the annual Our Lady of Miracles Festa over the previous weekend.

The 11-days of celebration is rooted in the Catholic faith and Portuguese traditions. The celebration begins with a series of rosaries and masses called a novena, held mostly in the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles. There’s also plenty of live music, Fados and food for all who come out to join in the festivities.

On Saturday the traditional Bodo de Leite took to the streets of Gustine with cows, goats and plenty of Portuguese cultural to be witnessed.

The grand event of the festa was the parade on Sunday. The pageantry sees the numerous queens and officers visiting from all over northern California, parading to the park and hall. The procession of statues of the saints, carefully carried by volunteers, many by families, from the church to the park, is a special part of Sunday for celebration participants. Hundreds of people line the route to watch the parade on Sunday afternoon.

Serving as the queens and side maids this year are: Faith DeSilva, the daughter of Luis and Raeme DeSilva of Turlock. Faith is the senior queen; McKenzy Karp is a senior side maid. She is the daughter of Bernadette Karp of Turlock; Katelyne Castro is the other senior side maid. She is the daughter of Abel and Lucy Castro of Gustine; McKinley Mendes is the junior Queen. She is the daughter of Scotty and Vanda Mendes of Gustine; Delilah Ribera is a junior side maid. She is the daughter of Zachary and Cindy Ribera of Gustine; and Carley Fontes is the other junior side maid. She is the daughter of Carlos and Stephanie Fontes of Hilmar.

Officers of the 2024 OLM Celebration were: Father Arturo Cisneros, Vice Presidents Kevin and Shealyn Soares, Presidents Scotty and Vanda Mendes, Secretary Michael Alves, Treasurer Durvalina Snoke, Marshal Dennis Miguel, Chairman Father Daniel Avila and Past Presidents George Jr. and Melissa Martins.