STOCKTON – At its Board meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Rickman’s proposal to provide $4,928 to Irmandade Portuguesa Da Festa Do Espirito Santo (I.P.F.E.S.) to help cover unexpected new and unavoidable increased expenses for the 2025 Holy Ghost Parade and Festival.

I.P.F.E.S. is a volunteer run non-profit formed to unite Tracy’s Portuguese Community for the Holy Ghost Festa in honor of Saint Isabell every year through religious, social, and charitable events and, strive to keep Portuguese and American Heritage and Traditions strong. The Tracy I.P.F.E.S. plays an important role in promoting and preserving cultural heritage and traditions with uniting and inclusive events, while the Hall is utilized by many for various community services and causes. These one-time funds will be used to cover the unexpected new and unavoidable increased expenses this year’s Holy Ghost Festa – Parade and Festival – has encountered.

“The Holy Ghost Festa is a cultural and religious tradition that honors Queen Isabel of Portugal, a 13th century monarch who prayed for the end of a famine, and carries with it a timely message of hope, humility, and service. People travel to Tracy from many of the surrounding communities in our region to participate in the Festa, and I am proud to secure funding to help maintain this tradition for the benefit of the Tracy and visiting communities,” said Robert Rickman, Fifth District Supervisor.

The Supervisorial District Funds were re-established by the Board of Supervisors in the 2023-2024 Adopted Budget, to afford each supervisor the opportunity to address district-specific unmet needs. Supervisorial district-funded projects are subject to existing County policy and business practice.

Learn more about Supervisor Rickman at https://www.sjgov.org/department/bos/districts/district-5.

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