Our Lady of Bom Despacho procession fills Maia streets

Our Lady of Bom Despacho procession draws crowds in Maia

The streets of central Maia filled on Sunday as people gathered to watch the procession honouring Our Lady of Bom Despacho pass by. As is customary, the main day of the Maia pilgrimage festival attracted thousands of visitors, combining religious observance with fairground entertainment, including carousels, and plenty of food and drink stalls. The celebrations end on Monday with a fireworks display.

“For us, this pilgrimage festival is our St John’s,” said Marisa Couto, referring to the festivities held from Friday to Sunday, which are generally the busiest days. Marisa lives in Vila do Conde but her parents are in Maia, so she has taken part in the Our Lady of Bom Despacho celebrations since she was very young.

“Of course, you cannot do without fartura, churros and chorizo rolls,” she said, highlighting the traditions of the occasion, which also appeal to her son. His attention was on the rides, particularly the “Canguru” and the adrenaline of its mechanical jumps.

Tradition, music and fairground treats

José Cardoso, who is from the Maia municipality, also never misses the event. Now 67, he has attended the procession since childhood. “I like the solemnity of the occasion,” he explained. Before the religious floats set off, he stood beside the bandstands listening to performances by the Gueifães Marching Band and the Moreira da Maia Music Band. “That is another thing I never miss. I also go to the avenue for farturas and chorizo rolls. It is all part of the tradition,” he added cheerfully.

Sweet sellers at the Maia pilgrimage festival

Among those who make their living from the pilgrimage festival was José Abreu. He runs the stall called “Doces da Aparecida” and, as its name suggests, offers customers something sweet. He has been trading at the Our Lady of Bom Despacho festival for 15 years and has no complaints. “It is a good festival,” he said. Saturday night, for instance, brought “a huge number of people” onto the streets.

Many visitors cannot resist the appeal of products from Aparecida, in Lousada. Some simply browse and ask questions, but many leave the stall with a sweet treat. “Cavacas, love cakes and Doce da Teixeira are what I sell most,” he revealed of a business that “is at the level of previous years”, despite experiencing “a rise in costs of around 20%”.