39th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Narragansett RI on July 23-24th

39th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Narragansett RI on

July 23-24th

It all began today with over 3700 runners, walkers and wheel chair entrants competing on the 10 mile course to kick off the 39th annual Blessing of the Fleet in Narragansett, RI on July 23-24th. This event began as a ceremony aeons ago to ask for divine protection for the fisherman who everyday risk their lives fishing out of the port of Galilee, RI and it has become a huge fund raising event that benefits the community as a whole.

The 10 mile road race on Friday kicked off the weekend event. In addition, the Seafood Festival attended by almost 30,000 people each year is a major part of the weekend event. This Seafood Festival, which runs Friday night, Saturday and Saturday night, features a wide variety of culinary delights from the sea (and quite a few from the shore as well).  Live music performed by a very popular local band provides entertainment as well as the opportunity to dance away the calories.

Seafood Festival Schedule:

Memorial Square (Next to the Towers)
Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882
July 23 thru July 24, 5:00 to 11:00 pm
Saturday, July 24 , 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm

The Blessing of the Fleet itself is a spectacularly colorful event that takes place at noon on Saturday, in Galilee. On a good day, hundreds of vessels line up to parade past thousands of spectators all decorated to the hilt.   The Blessing of the Fleet features a colorful parade of commercial and recreational boats , large and small, each parading boating vessel is blessed by The Bishop with a group of distinguished clergymen and judged in by State and local officials.

The Blessing of the Fleet Schedule
Port of Galilee
Saturday July 24
12:00 noon
Why is the Blessing of the Fleet such a well supported event by the people of Rhode Island?  Well the generosity comes through in helping those in need.  As the event organizers, the Narragansett Lions Club is responsible for the collecting and distributing funds related to all the events for the weekend festivities.  100% of all profits go to worthy causes and over 40% of all their funds go to families and individuals in need.  They provide things such as heating oil, medical equipment, food and cash to those in need in the surrounding community.

So what is there not to love about this event! You need to come out and enjoy, take pictures and just have some good ole family fun this weekend at the Blessing of the Fleet.  Having been a spouse of a fisherman and a member of this wonderful community, I wholeheartedly support this event every year – it truly blesses everyone in all that it gives.

39th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Narragansett RI on July 23-24th

39th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Narragansett RI on July 23-24th