58th Annual Blessing of the Fleet returns this weekend along historic waterfront

DARIEN, Ga. (WTOC) - The 58th Annual Blessing of the Fleet returns to Darien this weekend, running April 17 through 19 along the city’s historic waterfront.

The three-day festival celebrates the area’s shrimping heritage and will feature live music, food vendors, arts and crafts, and activities for the whole family.

The highlight is the Blessing of the Fleet boat parade Sunday at 2 p.m., honoring shrimp boat captains with prayers for a safe and successful season.

Admission is $5 Friday, $10 Saturday, and free on Sunday.

Weeping Time Fundraiser at the Blessing of the Fleet

Saturday, there will be a Weeping Time Fundraiser at the Blessing of the Fleet in Darien. The event will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Weeping Time Commemoration Committee says their fundraising goal is to purchase land and build a memorial in Savannah to honor the 429 former enslaved people sold there on March 2 and 3, 1859.