PORTLAND — When a community and parish event turns 88 years old, it is surrounded and usually defined by traditions, warm relationships and generations of individuals and families that strive to make each edition memorable for all involved.

With the 88th annual St. Peter’s Italian Bazaar set for the corner of Federal and India streets this weekend, Aug. 10 and 11, more than 50 volunteers descended upon St. Peter’s Parish Hall on Wednesday to renew a pre-bazaar event that has become a beloved tradition itself: making more than 6000 Italian cookies for the weekend’s festivities.

“From mixing to shaping to baking, we are getting it done,” Josephine Dulac, a parishioner at St. Peter Church for 76 years, said during Wednesday’s process. “The frosting and sprinkling is going well and we are packaging them up, ready to go.”

The volunteers spanned from ages 10 to 92, participating together in every step of the cookie-making process from early in the morning until evening.

“It’s been unbelievable today with all of the young adults working,” said 79-year-old Caroline Greenlaw, who grew up on nearby Adams Street. “It’s inspiring to see that. To see the traditions of the Bazaar passed on like that. It is wonderful to see the generations working together.”

More than 60 dozen eggs were used to prepare the cookies, which traveled from large pizza ovens to immense steel racks lining the walls after being packaged.

More than 20,000 are expected to attend this weekend’s bazaar, an old-fashioned neighborhood street festival which is a celebration of heritage, family and faith.

The bazaar will run from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11. Food will be available at 1 p.m.