Blessing of the Fleet

This event happens: May 11, 2024

An annual tradition each Mother's Day Sunday, this beautiful Old World processional through Historic Hanover Square was started by the Portuguese community in 1938 to commemorate the first appearance of The Blessed Virgin to three children near the town of Fatima, Portugal on May 13, 1917. A Hand-carved Brazilian Oak statue, with a crown of gold and precious stones, identical to the statue in Fatima, is placed on a carved wooden shoulder carrier and decorated with flowers. Parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Church process singing through the park.

This colorful Portuguese tradition, each Mother's Day in historic downtown Brunswick, blesses the brightly decorated shrimp boats prior to the start of the shrimping season each year.

The 86th Annual Blessing of the Fleet will take place at Mary Ross Park on Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This one-day celebration is one of the best that Coastal Georgia has to offer with fresh seafood, local culture, boating, water sports, the shrimping industry, arts, crafts, and a variety of leisure activities. The festival will feature fun and games for the kids, fabulous food, music, great family entertainment, and a variety of artists and displays.