Blessing of the Fleet Ceremonies & Events

Blessing of the Fleet History

The custom of the Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition observed by fishing and boating communities, in which they pray for a bountiful harvest and for the safety of the men at sea. The practice can be traced back to Old World Mediterranean fishing communities, and while the practice originated from Catholicism and brought to the United States by immigrants who held strongly to their Christian beliefs, it has since evolved to embrace more religions and cultures as it spread. Each harbor makes its annual Blessing of the Fleet its own, incorporating boat parades, church services, contests, potlucks, and music, some even expanding the event to a multi-day festival.

Northeast

• Jamestown, RI: Conanicut Marina hosts the Blessing of the Fleet at the end of their fuel dock in June! Stay tuned for more details on the event.

• Narragansett, RI: The Narragansett Lions Club's Blessing of the Fleet takes place Saturday, July 25, 2020 at noon, preceded by their annual Seafood Festival which runs from Thursday, July 23 - Saturday, July 25, and the 10-Mile Road Race on Friday, July 24. 

• Cranston, RI: The Rhode Island Yacht Club is hosting the Gaspee Days parade of boats + Blessing of the Fleet on Saturday, June 13, 2020. 

• Provincetown, MA: This Blessing of the Fleet is part of the Portuguese Festival Weekend from June 25, 2020 - June, 28, 2020. The festival includes four days of live music, dancing, parades, incredible food, games, and so much more. 

• Onset Harbor - Onset, MA: Hosted by the Onset Bay Association on July 4, 2020, this event includes a parade, blessing ceremony, dance party, and 4th of July fireworks display! The fun begins at 10:30AM - visit the Facebook event for updates. 

• Stonington Harbor - Stonington, CT: One of the longest running Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies in New England, every year on the last weekend in July, the annual Stonington Harbor Blessing of the Fleet ceremony remembers Stonington’s fishermen, the last fishing fleet in Connecticut. This is a two-day celebration that includes parades, bands, food, dancing on the docks, and a Sunday Mass followed by the Blessing of the Fleet and the parade of boats. An anchor-shaped wreath is also laid on the waters outside Stonington Harbor. 

Chesapeake Bay 

• Cape Charles, VA: The town marina annually holds the Blessing of the Fleet in Cape Charles Town Harbor. This year's dates haven't been released yet, but we'll post here when they are announced!

• Gloucester Point, VA: York River Yacht Haven has their annual Blessing of the Fleet and Sock Burning Ceremony, followed by a cook-out. Dates are TBD, check back for more info. 

ICW

• Washington, D.C.:  The 29th Annual Navy Memorial Blessing of the Fleet takes place shortly after the National Cherry Blossom Festival + Parade. Check back for dates and times! 

• Mount Pleasant, SC: Mount Pleasant's 33rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival will take place on April 26, 2020. The festival pays tribute to the local shrimping and fishing industry, with a ceremony, boat parade, live music, and activities for the whole family. Every year since 1988 the net proceeds from the festival are donated to local nonprofit organizations.

• McLellanville, SC: 43rd Annual Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet takes place 11 - 5 PM on Saturday, May 2, 2020. The Festival is four days of live music, dancing, parades, incredible food, games and more than 30 events and activities, capped off with The Blessing of The Fleet. After a procession through town, boats decked out in their finest parade past the Bishop and receive their Blessing for a safe & prosperous year.

• Darien, GA: March 27 - 29, 2020 – Darien's annual Blessing of the Fleet is an annual festival that the Darien-McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce hosts to celebrate their biggest industry, shrimping. This three-day fun-filled event consists of an art show, various food and drink vendors, arts and crafts, a YMCA 5K, children's activities, a classic car show, nightly live entertainment and a marine parade. On Sunday, they Bless their shrimp boat captains with a safe and prosperous season, which draws a crowd of 30,000 throughout the weekend. Cost for entry each day is $5 per person and children under 13 get in for free. Sunday is free to everyone! You may bring coolers in for a fee of $10 a piece. Click here for more info. 

Florida

• St. Augustine, FL: The Blessing of the Fleet in St. Augustine is a historical ceremony dating back to the city’s earliest days of Spanish colonial occupation. This event takes place on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020, and invites all vessels, commercial and pleasure, to receive a blessing from the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine. All vessels are welcome and encouraged to decorate with flags and bunting as well. The ceremony begins with a procession from the Cathedral Basilica along the Plaza de la Constitución to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. This traditional blessing will then take place at the Marina. 

• Grant, FL: Treasure Coast Marina is hosting its third Blessing of the Fleet festival in April, 2020. They have yet to decide on a specific date, but keep checking here for more details to come. The marina is also awarding prizes to the best three decorated boats.

• Destin, FL: The 63nd Annual Blessing of the Fleet on Destin Harbor is taking place on May 21, 2020. This is one of the oldest traditions along the Emerald Coast and takes place every year at Destin's Fishing Fleet Marina. The Blessing of the Fleet is part of a week-long celebration known as Destin's Week of Blessings. 

• Panama City, FL: The 23rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet, Fish Fry & Burning of the Socks will be held at the St. Andrews Marina on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Fish Fry will begin serving at 11 AM with Sock Burning event to follow. Proceeds of this event benefit Second Chance of Northwest Florida, a local non-profit organization that provides services to brain injury survivors and their family in the community.

Inland Waterways

• Portage de Sioux, MO: This year's Blessing of the Fleet and Boat Parade will and celebrate first responders and armed services. 

Great Lakes

• Chicago, IL: The Blessing of the Fleet takes place on Navy Pier to coincide with National Maritime Day at 11 AM. 

• Cedarburg, WI: Baileys Harbor will host a Blessing of the Fleet festival on Saturday, June 6, 2020.

• Harbor Springs, MI: The Historical Society's 71th Annual Blessing of the Fleet is taking place this spring, but the exact date and time is TBD - check back for updates! The event features a boat parade and a fundraising party to launch the summer season in Harbor Springs. 

Pacific Northwest

• Gig Harbor, WA: The Blessing of the Fleet lives on in Gig Harbor on Sunday, June 7, 2020. This event takes place on day two of the Maritime Gig Festival, which features a grand parade, 5K run, local food vendors, and much more! 

• Seattle, WA: 92th annual Blessing of the Fleet is taking place at the Fishermen’s Memorial site at Fishermen’s Terminal, however the date is TBD. Keep checking back for updates! 

California

• Bodega Bay, CA: The annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet is the highlight of the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival. The traditional annual blessing of the fishing fleet is an important observance for the entire community and acknowledges the key role of those who farm the seas, often at great risk to themselves. The Fishfest is taking place on May 2 & 3, 2020, but the Blessing of the Fleet is starting at 11:30 AM on Sunday. 

• Canyon Lake, CA: Canyon Lake Yacht Club invites all Canyon Lake registered boats to participate in the first annual Canyon Lake Blessing of the Boats. This event coincides with the symbolic Opening Day of Boating Season on the lake on Saturday, April 18, at 2PM.