59th annual event is Lipscomb's last May 6, 2008
A dour outlook for the seafood industry cut down on the number of shrimpers who decorated their boats to participate in this year's Blessing of the Fleet in Bayou La Batre. But spirits were high nonetheless among the crowds who gathered Sunday to wish the seafood workers well. (AL.com)
MyNassauSun.com survey May 3, 2008
- The Boat Parade and the Blessing of the Fleet. This is where it all began. (Florida Times-Union)
Shrimp, music and more in Fernandina May 2, 2008
There's a blessing of the fleet and decorated boat parade at 1 p.m. and music from the Swingin' Medallions at 2:30 p.m.. Parking is always an issue at the Shrimp Festival. (Florida Times-Union)
Surviving a year without salmon Apr 12, 2008
Carpenter, almost 55, a commercial fishermen like his father and grandfather, stood Friday in the same harbor on the deck of his own vessel, the Sandy B, preparing it for Sunday's blessing of the fleet in a year when no one will be blessed with landing a single salmon ... The festival begins today and on Sunday features the traditional boat parade and blessing of the fleet. (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
Take the culture quiz! Mar 22, 2008
The Blessing of the Fleet occurs where. St. Mary's and Richmond. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
Thousands view pageant Mar 18, 2008
Father Tim Lozier leads a procession durning the annual Blessing of the Fleet held in downtown St. Augustine on Sunday ... Brenda Alken waited 30 years to see St. Augustine's Blessing of the Fleet, and Sunday she got her wish ... "I woke up this morning and said, "The Blessing of the Fleet is today. (The St. Augustine Record)
Egg Hunts and Spring Festivals Calendar Mar 16, 2008
St. Augustine's annual Blessing of the Fleet, noon, St. Augustine City Marina dock ... The 24th annual Blessing of the Fleet, 2 p.m., St. Johns River, Northbank Riverfront. (Florida Times-Union)
Easter Parade to return in '09 Mar 7, 2008
In the meantime, the Royal Family of the festival will make an appearance March 16 for the Blessing of the Fleet. The blessing begins at noon with a procession from the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine to the city yacht pier. (The St. Augustine Record)
Applications for St. Pat's parade on the water being accepted Feb 23, 2008
Sign-in for the water parade is from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. The captains meeting for safety and instructions begins at 11 a.m. with the blessing of the fleet starting at 11:30 a.m.. The on-the-water parade will travel from Ozark Bar-B-Que on the 10. (Camdenton Lake Sun Leader, MO)
Artificial reef fitting tribute to Langford Nov 12, 2007
For decades, the petite blonde hosted Martin County's annual blessing of the fleet aboard her 108-foot yacht, the Chanticleer. And when she died at 92, she asked that her ashes be scattered at sea. (The Palm Beach Post)
Shrimping fleet blessed Aug 21, 2007
Standing on the boat, "Miss Behaving," Bennerfield gave the annual "blessing of the fleet," following Mass on Sunday morning at the Shrimp Festival Building ... "It (the Shrimp Festival's blessing of the fleet) is a celebration, a good time. That's where you see a lot of people you haven't seen in a long time." ... The blessing of the fleet may be primarily for shrimpers, but David Girouard said the average fisherman had reason to be there as well. (New Iberia, LA)
Shrimp Festival keeps food, good time rolling Aug 19, 2007
We have a blessing of the fleet also where we are but we don t have shrimping where we are so that s a new experience for us ... Today s festivities will continue this morning with a Catholic Mass at 10 a.m. in the Shrimp Festival Building followed by the traditional Blessing of the Fleet. (New Iberia, LA)
The HeatIs On Aug 7, 2007
I recently competed in the 10-mile Blessing of the Fleet Road Race in Narragansett. The hot and humid weather made the race extremely grueling, and I failed to meet my goal. (Westerly Sun, RI)
Locals hoping for good weather until harvest Aug 3, 2007
The Blessing of the Fleet The annual ceremony notes the perils of the fishing trade in coastal communities from Seattle to Biloxi, Miss. It's thought to have originated centuries ago among Mediterranean nations. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Light, Kerrigan-Amaral are fleet walkers Aug 1, 2007
By The Sun Staff NARRAGANSETT In the 36th Annual Blessing of the Fleet 10-mile road race and walk, Westerly native Joe Light nabbed his fourth consecutive title in the walking division, while Andrew McCann of Misquamicut, was third overall in the road race. There were over 3,000 competitors, and Light bested 608 other walkers to pace himself to a 1:41:45 and his fourth title. (Westerly Sun, RI)
A 'Blessed' Borough weekend Jul 21, 2007
By Ashley St. Pierre - Special to The Sun STONINGTON We try to change things up a bit; But it s basically the same, says Arthur Medeiros, chairman of the Blessing of the Fleet committee. It may be business as usual this year minus the celebration s longtime pastor, who died in May but thousands of residents and visitors are expected to show at the 53rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Stonington Fisherman s Dock. (Westerly Sun, RI)
More of this story Jul 19, 2007
Site Features Thursday, July 19, 2007 7:33 AM EDT Blessing of the Fleet ... Join us at Blessing of the Fleet this weekend ... The 53rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet takes place this weekend (July 21 and 22) in Stonington Borough. (Westerly Sun, RI)
Blessing of the Fleet Jul 18, 2007
Sun Publishing E-Papers Your world is just a click away. Experience this traditional blessing to ensure a safe and bountiful season for the Stonington fishing fleet. (Westerly Sun, RI)
Hundreds celebrate arrival of Tall Ships Jul 7, 2007
Its like a blessing of the fleet, said Michigan native Lulu Cavender, 25, the chef on the Pride of Baltimore. This is great. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Celebrity Search is On in Rhode Island Jul 3, 2007
-- July 6-8, Garden City Center, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. -- July 12, Market Square, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. -- July 14, Waterfire, 3 p.m.-11 p.m. -- July 15, Roger Williams Zoo, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- July 18, Market Square, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. -- July 20, South County Hot Air Balloon Festival, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. -- July 21-22, South County Hot Air Balloon Festival, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. -- July 25, Garden City Center, 2 p.m.-9 p.m. -- July 26, Providence Arcade, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. -- July 27, Blessing of the Fleet, 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Region's rivers on the rise Jun 28, 2007
Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette Capt. George Boyle, master of ceremonies for Monday's Blessing of the Fleet, throws a wreath into the Allegheny River at the end of the service. The wreath is in remembrance of those who have lost their lives on the water and in the hope that no lives will be lost this year. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Pittsburgh boaters drop anchor for 13th annual blessing Jun 26, 2007
Tuesday 26 June, 2007. Clergy from six congregations celebrated on a boat just off Point State Park on Sunday as the crews of 30 boats _ from kayaks to yachts _ participated. (NEPA News, PA)
Boaters drop anchor for Blessing of the Fleet Jun 25, 2007
Boaters drop their anchors for Blessing of the Fleet. Boaters drop their anchors for Blessing of the Fleet ... The Very Rev. John S. Brancho of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church blesses the boats gathered around the Gateway Clipper Fleet boat along the Allegheny River for the annual Blessing of the Fleet yesterday. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Air apparent Jun 24, 2007
Initially a religious event on June 29, the feast day for the patron saint of fishermen, by the 1970s the Sicilian festival ran from Thursday through Sunday on the last weekend in June, and included an outdoor Mass, a blessing of the fleet, and a procession of the statue of St. Peter through the city ... As part of the fiesta's tradition, the fishermen would paint their boats and spend several uninterrupted days with their families, awaiting the blessing of the fleet -- often by Boston's Roman... (Boston Globe -- Local)
South Fork Waters: Then & Now Jun 21, 2007
The blessing of the fleet is a tradition originally brought to this country by Portuguese sailors, and is still held today, with several blessing-of-the-fleet events taking place this month. More than 40 years ago, Montauk adopted this tradition, and it is now an annual celebration there, as it is in many ports around the nation. (Suffolk Life Newspapers, NY)
Four days of Memorial Day events planned in local communities May 27, 2007
The annual blessing of the fleet and memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Charleston Fisherman's Memorial, near the launch ramp at the Charleston Marina ... The Port of Bandon's annual Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Day ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. today at the Fisherman's Memorial in the boat-launching parking lot at the west end of the boardwalk. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
44th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival May 2, 2007
1 p.m. - Blessing of the Fleet, Best Decorated Shrimp Boat and Other Watercraft Contest. For complete festival information, pick up the official program of the 44th annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival sponsored by the Florida Times-Union Nassau Neighbors. (Florida Times-Union)
Working party looks to continue Blessing of the Fleet Apr 25, 2007
Shoalhaven's Mayor Greg Watson says a working party has been formed to find ways to ensure Ulladulla's Blessing of the Fleet continues. The festival's organising committee announced there would not be a festival next year after this year's blessing. (ABC News Online, Australia -- Rural)
Sorrow mixes with spring joy Apr 6, 2007
On Sunday afternoon, I walked in the dripping sunshine to the annual blessing of the fleet. I knew spring was really here because no one asked if I wanted a ride. (Anchorage Daily News)
Opening day festivities Mar 31, 2007
It was the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Opening Ceremonies when boaters have their new vessels christened and a whole new season begins. Lakewood Commodore Johnny Maniscalco led the ceremonies that also included Vice Commodore Brian Irvine, Rear Commodore Don Kugle and Fleet Capt. Don Rauscher, Protocol Officer Drew Lewis and the Immediate Past Commodore Tony Wessendorff. (The Citizen - online, TX)
Ceremony Marks the start of Great Lakes Shipping Season Mar 26, 2007
AP -- Hundreds of people gathered outside the Great Lakes Maritime Center at Vantage Point in Michigan to take part in the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. The event over the weekend marked the start of the Great Lakes shipping season. (FOX23 News, NY)
Pass the shillelagh:'St. Patrick's Day festivities on tap for the holiday Mar 9, 2007
Lake Sun Leader - Entertainment. Friday, March 09, 2007. (Camdenton Lake Sun Leader, MO)
Fishermen's blessing has special significance after storms Mar 6, 2007
This year's Blessing of the Fleet in Esperance had a special meaning as the town's commercial fishermen reflected on the industry, two months after a fierce storm wreaked havoc on the town's harbour. Both commercial and recreational fishermen gathered for the event yesterday to recognise the importance of the industry to the town and wish the coming year to be a prosperous one. (ABC News Online, Australia -- Rural)
Wacky winter celebration animates a fishing town Feb 9, 2007
I felt a similar undercurrent at the Blessing of the Fleet. The mayor, sporting a Cordova cap with "Mayor" embroidered on it, read a Robert Service poem, and a Native woman beat a skin drum and gave a traditional blessing. (Anchorage Daily News)
Kelly sworn in as Yacht Club Commodore Jan 19, 2007
The Review of the Fleet on February 24 will include a firing of the canon, a live band playing the National Anthem and maritime songs, the actual review and blessing of the fleet, a concert by the band, and lunch. Also, he has arranged a first by appointing M.A. Kline as Day Cruise Captain for 2007. (Marco Island Sun-Times, FL)
Gulf Breeze church marks 50 years with festive events Jan 5, 2007
And for Hogg, 78, it was the traditional "Blessing of the Fleet.". "That's where people brought their charter boats to be blessed for good fishing," he said. (Pensacola News Journal)
