Seafood, music, fun for the family and whole lot of tradition are all roll into a great weekend at the annual Blessing of the Fleet at St. Clement’s Island museum grounds located at 38370 Point Breeze Road in Coltons Point on Oct. 3 and 4. Visitors will be able to take a boat ride to St. Clements Island, tour Blackistone Lighthouse, and watch fireworks on Saturday.

Those not familiar with Maryland’s history and the importance of the seafood industry may question the need for a ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ and what the event means. The annual ceremony is a religious celebration of Maryland’s Birthplace, the landmark of St. Clement’s Island, and a blessing of the boats, or fleet. The timing of the event is planned because the traditional start to oystering season starts on Oct. 1.

The Blessing of the Fleet is celebrated each year, and has been for the past 40 years. It combines history, a religious blessing of the boats, and a great weekend of fun family activities.

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, Oct. 3:
12 noon – opening ceremonies and the Museum opens.
12:30 p.m. – Joe Webb & JRW Sound Productions take the main stage and there will be a St. Mary’s Sheriff’s K-9 Demo
1 p.m. – Bunny Bailey Dancers take the stage along with Super Magic Man Reggie Rise
1:30 p.m. – Stuffed Ham Demonstration
1:45 p.m. – Three Notch Theatre presents, The History of St. Mary’s County, waterfront stage.
2 p.m. – Kiddies tractor pull, the Southern Maryland Boot Scooters.and Frank Trossbach animals
3 p.m. – Blue Sky Pupet Theatre presents The Three Not So Little Pigs
4 p.m. – Jennifer Rose Band takes the main stage
7 p.m. – Fr. William Gurnee, Paster, Holy Angels Church from Avenue will take the main stage and perform The Blessing of the Fleet, main stage.
Post ceremony to close at 10 – Six Gun South Band and great fireworks.

Sunday, Oct. 4:
10 a.m. – Boat Rides to the Blackistone Lighthouse, Arts and Crafts, Livestock Displays, Food and Refreshment stands open, The Maryland Dove is open for free tours and pony rids begin.
10:30 a.m. – Mark Wild Turkey Tayoc of Piscataway Nation takes the stage
11 a.m. – St. Mary’s County Commissioners perform a welcoming ceremony.
11:15 a.m. – Presentation of the Nine Flags of St. Clement’s Island
11:30 a.m. – Presentation of the 14th Annual Ancient Order of the Waterman Award, Del. John F. Wood, Jr. and Award to Bell motor company family for their 30-year sponsorship of the event.
12 noon – Lois Beverage will perform the National Anthem launching the parade along the waterfront and the wine tasting stand opens.
12:30 p.m. – Show by Reptile World, the Robot Boxing Game opens and Pinch from the SOMD Blue Crabs will entertain the kids while Country Memories Band takes the main stage.
1 p.m. – A magic show
1:30 p.m. – Gracies Guys and Gals take the waterfront stage.
1:45 p.m. – Kiddie Tractor Pull
2 p.m. – A prayer service and blessing of the boats at the waterfront stage.
2:15 p.m. – Chesapeake Country Cruisers take the main stage
3 p.m. – Jerry Burch and the Wanderers. A Roman Catholic Mass by Bishop Barry C. Knestout on St. Clements Island at the Great Cross
4:30 p.m. – Auction of stuffed ham
5 p.m. – Raffle drawings for $1000, $500 and $250, Boy’s and Girl’s bike giveaway

For more information call (301) 769-2222, (301) 769-2019 or visit www.7thdistrictoptimist.org or www.maryland375.com.