Blessing of the Fleet returns to the Waterfront Park
Old-school East Cooper residents know that the spring season is in full force when the popular Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival and its parade of trawler boats comes around. It’s one of the best town picnics and shagging parties of the year.
This Sunday, April 27, the 27th annual event is set to take place at the Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park — a relatively new home for the events after years at Alhambra Hall in Mt. Pleasant’s Old Village neighborhood.
Blessing of the Fleet is presented by the East Cooper Medical Center. The harbor-front get-together has evolved into one of the most highly anticipated events of the year for seafood lovers.
Mt. Pleasant mayor Linda Page recently proclaimed April 22 as the official kickoff of the “2014 Blessing of the Fleet Week.”
Dozens of craft and food vendors will be on hand at the park. Shrimp dishes and other seafood fare will be available. The boat parade is scheduled for 1 p.m. Local variety band Permanent Vacation will hit the stage at 11: 30 a.m. and again at 1:45 p.m. Acoustic singer/guitarist Pete Ledbetter will perform at the end of the pier at 2:30 p.m. Popular Lowcountry oldies/beach ensemble East Coast Party Band (pictured below) — a horn-driven group with an impressive repertoire — will perform two sets of shag-friendly faves and swingin’ hits on the main stage starting at 3 p.m.
Admission is free. Proceeds from sales will benefit the local shrimping industry along with Shem Creek Fisheries. Visit comeonovermp.com and facebook.com/MountPleasantBOTF for more details.
The East Coast Party Band (provided).
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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