A festa is a Portuguese festival, and one of the best in this area is the St. John's Festa in Hopeton.  

If you've never heard of Hopeton, don't worry.  It is one of those places you will miss if you blink. But each June 24th, the church plays host to at least 1,000 guests who come for the big celebration. 

This year, we went with Joe's family. His Dad, brother, Aunt Judy and Uncle Billy from Atwater, Joe's cousin Nancy and her two kids, and Uncle Jim from Florida.

Guests gather at long tables covered with butcher paper and are treated to a free meal of traditional sopas -- a Portuguese stew of beef, cabbage and spices served over thick slices of French bread -- symbolizing the generosity of Portuguese Queen Isabel, 700 years ago. (Beer and sodas cost a buck though - apparently the Queen's generosity only extended so far.)