It's back and better than ever!

[kom526]

A tradition that goes back over 50 years is back with more activities, attractions and bigger music acts!
Blessing of the Fleet Homepage

We are trying to keep this St. Mary's County tradition alive and this year we are returning to a 2 day event. We have more crafters and vendors than we have had in years, along with many demonstrations from local groups along with our famous fireworks show on Saturday night. Click on the link for more information. https://www.blessingofthefleetsomd.net/

 

[Gilligan]

I still miss the days when we went to it by boat.... What's it been now...almost 30 years since it was on the island?

 

[kom526]

Having it on the island was pre - me and I've been involved with the Blessing for almost 13 years. Seems like we lost all the support with landing craft around 2001.

 

[Midnightrider]

we like to head out and catch the mass and the fireworks by boat.
One suggestion and one thing to note.

It would be great if you could get the priest a handheld VHF for the actual blessing of the fleet. That way all the boats in the area could puck it up.

The fireworks being at 900 means sitting on the water in the dark for close to 2 hours. The adults on our boat had no issue, but the youngins were literally falling asleep during the show. I understand that’s a logistical issue and the show is mostly for the people on the shore at the museum, but it may be something to consider in the future.

For anyone who hasn’t been lately, the fireworks are usually pretty awesome

 

[PrchJrkr]

The pre-weekend partying with the sailors assigned to transport duty were epic. Of course, this was before the new museum was built and we riff-raff were shooed away. We even got tours of the vessels when the Senior Chief was on an errand.

 

[LightRoasted]

If I may ...

Having never been, I'm ignorant on this. A fleet of what is actually getting blessed? Naval vessels?

 

[kom526]

we like to head out and catch the mass and the fireworks by boat.
One suggestion and one thing to note.

It would be great if you could get the priest a handheld VHF for the actual blessing of the fleet. That way all the boats in the area could puck it up.

The fireworks being at 900 means sitting on the water in the dark for close to 2 hours. The adults on our boat had no issue, but the youngins were literally falling asleep during the show. I understand that’s a logistical issue and the show is mostly for the people on the shore at the museum, but it may be something to consider in the future.

For anyone who hasn’t been lately, the fireworks are usually pretty awesome

I will pass along the VHF suggestion. I think having the fireworks at 9 this year was due in part to allowing the headline time for any encores, but I get what you're saying here.

 

[kom526]

If I may ...

Having never been, I'm ignorant on this. A fleet of what is actually getting blessed? Naval vessels?

Back at the beginning of this event it was to bless the oyster boats as they began the new oystering season which traditionally began on Oct. 1.

 

[Gilligan]

The event grew larger and larger and large landing craft based in Dahlgren were used to ferry out the various vendor trucks and trailers etc. The old landing ramp is still there on the island, although in rough shape. My best recollection is that the use of the landing craft ceased when they were redeployed in during the first Gulf War.

We'd just hop in our boats (St. Patrick's Creek) and run on out to the event. Many local watermen provided "taxi service" to the island for those that arrived Colton's Point by car.

 

[Midnightrider]

I will pass along the VHF suggestion. I think having the fireworks at 9 this year was due in part to allowing the headline time for any encores, but I get what you're saying here.

We enjoy it and it’s one of the best shows around. I think we may take our sailboat this year so the little ones can have beds if they can’t make it.


Side note, last year a boat next to us ran into a pound net on the way back in. It was dark as hell, I was working completely from the chart plotter and we were creeping because we had the whole family onboard. I get past the last pound net and look to my left and see a guy come to a full stop in the net. We spun around and check on them. They were ok

 

[kom526]

This weekend! Weather looks promising too!