Since ancient times along the Mediterranean, the sea has inspired centuries of events and festivals celebrating the bounty of the ocean.
Many locations across the USA still celebrate the sea today with a host of different events and festivals offering a “blessing of the fleet” ceremony actually originating in Greece, sail boat races and boat shows, lighted boat parades, classic antique vessels and new inventions, as well as lots of light-hearted, sea-themed fun.
CONNECTICUT
Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous
June
Mystic, Connecticut
A award competition celebrating high-quality antique vessels built before 1965, including cruisers, sailboats, runabouts, and launches, recognizing excellence in restoration, authenticity and workmanship.
More than 50 classic vessels gather along the Museum’s waterfront all day Saturday and Sunday morning . Festivities conclude on Sunday afternoon as the vessels make their way down the Mystic River in a jubilant, costume- and music-filled three-mile parade.
For more information visit: www.thewoodenboatshow.com
DELAWARE
Boast the Coast Maritime Festival
October
Lewes, Delaware
Boast the Coast Maritime Festival & Lighted Boat Parade is an annual event held in conjunction with the University of Delaware's annual Coast Day celebration in historic Lewes that was started to emphasise the importance of local marine life.
Activities throughout the town celebrate the town’s nautical heritage and include seafood tasting and children’s shows. Attracting more than 10,000 people each year, the highlight of this event is the lighted boat parade on the canal that runs through town.
GEORGIA
Blessing of the Fleet
March
Darien, Georgia
A tradition for over 40 years, the Blessing of the Fleet is a 3-day festival that attracts thousands of people to Darien. The tradition of blessing the fleet actually began hundreds of years ago in Mediterranean fishing ports to ensure a safe and bountiful year.
Attractions at the modern day event include live entertainment, marine parader, carnival, vendor booths, Darien 5k run, the Miss Blessing of the Fleet Scholarship Pageant and lots of other family fun.
For more information visit: www.blessingofthefleet.com
MAINE
Windjammer Days Festival
June
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
For two fun-filled days, full rigged windjammers sail into Boothbay Harbor
for the annual Windjammer Days Festival that has been a tradition here for more than 45 years.
Events during the two-day festival include pancake breakfast, craft fair, antique boat parade, shipyard tours, street parade, live musical entertainment and of course a visiting fleet of historic windjammers. The events end with a fireworks extravaganza.
For more information visit: www.boothbayharbor.com
NEW YORK
Harborfest
July
Oswego, New York
During the past 21 years Harborfest has grown from a small local festival to a major regional event with national performance acts and the ever-popular fireworks show.
More than 250,000 visitors attend the annual festival that has earned more than 10 International Festival and Event Association Awards for excellence. Harborfest was named a “Top 100 Event in North America” by the prestigious American Bus Association on four different occasions and was voted the most popular festival in Central New York by viewers of WSTM-TV3. Of most recent note for 2008, Harborfest is voted number eight on www.fireworksguide.com
For more information visit: www.oswegoharborfest.com
RHODE ISLAND
Newport International Boat Show
September
Newport, Rhode Island
One of the four largest in-water boat shows in the country, the Newport International Boat Show features both power and sail on 15 acres along Americas Cup Ave. Highlights include 850 exhibitors and over 700 boats ranging in size from 16 to 85 as well as all kinds of equipment and services, seminars, demonstrations and children's activities.
The show is also the official venue for US debuts of all new boats and boating products.
For more information visit: www.newportboatshow.com
Providence Boat Show
January / February
Providence, Rhode Island
The 14th Annual Providence Boat Show is one of the largest winter boat shows in New England featuring fishing and cruising powerboats as well as cruising and racing Sailboats. as well as equipment and services for all boating needs.
With two side-by-side locations there is over 240,000 square-feet of exhibitor space, more than 280 exhibitors with over 300 boats ranging in size from 8 to 47 feet on display along with kayaks, inflatables, and accessories.
For more information visit: www.providenceboatshow.com
SOUTH CAROLINA
Beaufort Water Festival
July
Beaufort, South Carolina
First held in 1956, the annual Beaufort County Water Festival has been a Beaufort tradition for over 50 years.
The first weekend featured two days of sailboat races and the Regatta Ball. In years following organizers added the Beauty Pageant on Friday to select the Queen of the Carolina Sea islands who was chosen from the visiting queens from cities and towns throughout the state. After that came the addition of the parade, a water ski show and competition, air show, swimming races and the Water Festival Ball and motor boat race.
As the years went by and the festival drew more and more people to the area tennis and golf tournaments, an antique show, bingo, fishing contests, and even croquet.
For more information visit: www.bftwaterfestival.com
WASHINGTON
Seafair
Summer-long
Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s traditional summer festival, Seafair is a month-long, region-wide barbecue that brings an entire community together in celebration. A community event for over 58 years, Seafair is the largest festival in the Northwest region hosting a miriad of events throughout the summer ranging from a Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake to the Seafair Triathlon at Lake Washington.
Events include parades, Miss Seafair, the Navy and Coast Guard, amateur athletics, airplanes and of course, boat racing, culminating with the Unlimited Hydroplane races and Air Show.
For more information visit: www.seafair.com
