We’ve trying to bring all of what’s happened over 50 years and recognize all the people who have been involved.”

John Beck, festival co-chair

50th festival schedule of events

St. Barnabas Church’s 50th Parish Festival runs from Friday to Sunday, June 20-22, on the church grounds at 1697 East Main Road. Hours are 5-10 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

In addition to the midway and games by Rockwell Amusements each day, here are the special events you can expect:

Friday: Live music by Timeless under the tent from 7-10 p.m.

Saturday: Music by Country Wild Heart from 1-3 p.m.; rosary in the grotto at 2 p.m.; antiques appraisal by Frederico Santi of The Drawing Room Antiques in Newport from 3-4:30 p.m.; Animal Instincts (kids can get up close with reptiles) from 3-4:45 p.m.; “Talk to the World with Amateur Radio” for all ages from 3-5 p.m.; bingo in the church hall from 6:30-8 p.m.; and music by Down City Band from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday: Coffee and malassadas from 8-11 a.m.; procession at 9:30 a.m.; Mass with Bishop Evans at 10:30 a.m.; a free soup luncheon in the parish hall at 11:30 a.m.; and a live auction from 1 p.m. until everything is sold

PORTSMOUTH — It’s been 50 sweet years of malassadas and memories at the St. Barnabas Parish Festival, which returns this year from Friday to Sunday on the church grounds at 1697 East Main Road.

John and Maureen Beck, volunteers who are chairing this year’s festival, said the church is cooking up something special to mark its golden jubilee.

“We’ve trying to bring all of what’s happened over 50 years and recognize all the people who have been involved,” said John. “It’s important to the parish and its impact to the community.”

A group of parishioners and their family members started the festival back in 1976. Bill Mathias, who was the first festival chairman, was instrumental in getting everything going. His son, Glenn Mathias, along with his cousins Joe Mathias and Roni Probert, have been volunteers since childhood and are still a central part of making the festival run smoothly.

Many other longtime volunteers are also still manning food booths, keeping the grounds clean, running bingo, preparing the soup stock, setting up and knocking down and much more.

“Alfred Raposa was chairman in 1979, and he’s still involved,” said Maureen.

“It’s certainly been a labor of love for a lot of people for a long time, and we’re trying to honor that,” added John.

As always, the festival will feature a midway of amusement rides and games, live music, a Sunday procession, auction, bingo and plenty of family entertainment.

Portuguese flavor

And of course the food, which is one of the major draws: 1,000 chourico and peppers sandwiches, 1,000 orders of French fries, 600 pulled pork sandwiches, 600 homemade stuffed quahogs, and nearly 300 lobster rolls are sold each year.

“We are making freshly made malassadas Sunday morning. They’re going to set up a little kiosk if you want to come by for a treat,” John said.

The late Bishop Louis Gélineau took part in the St. Barnabas Parish Festival’s first procession in 1976. At left is Bill Mathias, who was instrumental in getting the festival started.

The famous St. Barnabas Soup — a traditional Portuguese kale soup — will be served in the parish house at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. The luncheon will follow the procession and Mass with The Most Rev. Bishop Robert Evans.

“That’s free and open to everybody,” said John. “It’s based on a Portuguese tradition of giving bread to the poor. It’s a communal thing.”

If you’re sensing a cultural theme based on some of the culinary offerings, you’re right.

“It was started as a Portuguese parish,” said Maureen, adding that original chairman Bill Mathias had gone around to Portuguese festivals in Fall River and elsewhere and brought much of that flavor to Portsmouth.

Live music will be provided by Timeless (Friday night), Country Wild Heart (Saturday afternoon), and Down City Band (Saturday night).

“The bands that we’re having all have a following, which explains why so many out-of-towners come to the festival,” said Maureen.

Big-ticket auction items

There will be some big items offered at Sunday’s auction, including a weekend in Cape Cod valued at $1,200; an overnight stay at Castle Hill Inn ($1,000), a half-day fishing trip with Tall Tail Charters ($850), $500 worth of fuel oil from Casey’s Oil, and a high-end wine-tasting experience with Father David Thurber Jr., pastor of St. Barnabas Church.

And if you’re a Red Sox fan, how about two front-row pavilion box luxury seat tickets to see them play Kansas City on Aug. 5 (valued at over $400)? There will also be a silent auction, with bidding starting Friday and ending at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

“We’re raffling off a brand-new Kawasaki jet ski,” added John. “It comes with a trailer and a Coast Guard package. We’re trying to attract the younger crowd.”

They’re expecting big crowds of all ages this weekend, which will be a tribute to the hardworking volunteers who have made it all possible since its start in 1976,

“We have people who have been working on this festival for 50 years,” John said.

“It’s important to recognize the hard work people do,” added Maureen.

To sign up to become a volunteer at the festival, click here.