Event Overview
The Blessing of the Fleet has been a South County tradition for thirty-five
consecutive years. What began as a ceremony to ask for "Divine Protection" of
those who risk their lives harvesting the sea has blossomed into one of Rhode
Island’s most popular weekend-long events.
The Weekend events include:
§ A ten-mile road race involving almost 3,000 runners
§ A seafood festival attended by almost 30,000 people
§ The Blessing of the Fleet that is the original reason for the event
How the Community Benefits: Why
“The Blessing” is such a widely respected event
Ten Mile Road Race:
Approximately 3,750 runners, walkers and wheelchair entrants compete on a
scenic and certified 10-mile course through historic Narragansett, ending at
"The Towers" on the ocean (immediately adjacent to Seafood Festival -see below).
Runners receive official Blessing of the Fleet T-Shirts as well as prizes.
Generally held on the last weekend in July each year, the event is "kicked off"
with a scenic, 10-mile road race on Friday evening. The course, which winds its
way through historic Narragansett, is officially sanctioned and listed as one of
the top three races of its distance in New England. More than 3,750 runners
competed in 2009, hailing from all over New England, across the country and
around the world. The race's finish line is by "The Towers" in Narragansett,
next to the Atlantic Ocean and Veterans Memorial Park, site of the Blessing of
the Fleet Seafood Festival.
Ten-Mile Road Race Schedule
Start: Narragansett High School, South Pier Road
Friday, July 27
5:00 pm for walkers;
5:15 pm for wheelchairs; and
6:00 pm for runners
Finish: The Towers, Ocean Road
Seafood
Festival
Attended by almost 30,000 people each year, the Seafood Festival is a major part
of the weekend event.
The 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). Beer and wine are available for adults, as well as soft drinks and
lemonade for the whole family.
Live music performed by a very popular local band provides entertainment as well
as the opportunity to dance away the calories. Complete lobster dinners with all
of the accompaniments, linguini with clam sauce, barbecued shrimp, a raw bar,
stuffies, and much, much, more provide the basis for a great meal. There is also
a large variety of entertainment for kids throughout the seafood festival. Face
painting and story telling, karate demonstrations, carnival rides, and craft
booths all make this a true family event for the 25,000 to 30,000 people who
attend each year. A delicious harvest of seafood and other delectable’s prepared
in the New England tradition. Live entertainment and refreshments for parents
and kids. Rides, clowns, demonstrations, craft booths, face painting, shopping
and more!
Seafood Festival Schedule
Memorial Square (Next to the Towers)
Ocean Road
July 27 thru July 28, 5:00 to 11:00 pm
Saturday, July 30 , 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm
Blessing of
the Fleet
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.
The Blessing features a colorful parade of commercial and recreational
watercraft, large and small. Each parading vessel is blessed by The Bishop with
a group of distinguished clergymen, and judged for prizes in three different
categories by State and local officials.
The Bishop along with local priests
bless each and every decorated vessel as they pass before them and a panel of
celebrity judges rate the decorations in a variety of categories. Recent years'
judges included the Governor of RI, the Lt. Governor, Senator Reed, Congressman
Langevin, Miss Rhode Island and other local dignitaries.
The Blessing of the Fleet Schedule
Port of Galilee
Saturday July 28
12:00 noon
