The Portuguese American Club will host its annual Feast of the Holy Ghost this weekend, a two-day event that includes lots of eating and a parade through Oak Bluffs.

The festivities begin on Saturday at the PA Club with the feast taking place from 5 to 10 p.m. On Sunday, the parade begins at 11:30 a.m., stepping off from the Oak Bluffs Steamship terminal and weaving its way through town.

The origin of the celebration dates back to the 13th century when Queen Isabel promised the Holy Ghost she would sell her crown and jewels if the Spirit sent a miracle to help her people from a famine. After her prayer, ships full of bread and meat arrived on Pentecost, which she shared with the masses.

The Island celebration dates back to 1928, first taking place at the DeBettencourt Farm.

Gina DeBettencourt, PA Club president, said she looks forward to continuing the legacy started by her family, and watching newer generations of families get involved.

“You can say you’ve done something your great grandparents may have done, or your great great grandparents may have done,” she said.

“It’s a community effort to start it, a community effort to work it, and a community effort to end it... It’s just amazing how everybody comes together,” she added.

The parade on Sunday begins with the blessing of Queen Isabela’s crown, an ode to the origins of the celebration, which will be carried by a group of young girls.

After the crown is blessed by a priest, the parade will begin, moving from the ferry terminal, past the police station, up Vineyard avenue to do a blessing at the graveyard, and ending at Portuguese American Club where there will be free soup for everybody.

Ms. DeBettencourt said the event is open to everyone and it unites people from all over the Island.

“We have the police department and the fire department every year, and the coast guard, color guard, they come, and they all walk with us in the parade and celebrate. Its a true Island tradition that has been able to stay alive,” she said.