Blessing of the Fleet draws thousands for 58th annual celebration

DARIEN, Ga. (WTOC) - Tens of thousands of festival goers made their way to Darien this weekend for the 58th annual Blessing of the Fleet.

The three-day festival closed out Sunday with a boat parade and official blessing. The event gives the community the chance to come together and celebrate the impacts of the shrimping industry in McIntosh County.

Boat parade and blessings

Festival goers lined Darien’s waterfront, cheering for the passing ships as they received special blessings ahead of shrimping season.

The Captain Rhett took home the first place prize for best decorated. Captain Christopher Rhett, the boat’s namesake, said he was nervous to drive the boat, but that it paid off.

“I had fun driving the boat,” Rhett said. “Some people get nervous sometimes but they don’t have to be because they might do a good job and win something.”

Festival activities

Festival goers enjoyed live music, food and vendor tents. One group of Darien residents donned bright orange inflatables, becoming one with the shrimp.

“The whole town of Darien, to me really, it’s just one big fun group to be around, so it’s like we, I was pretty convinced we could get others to commit,” said Beth Byrnes, an annual festival goer.

This year’s theme was “Tides May Change but Traditions Remain.”

“We’ve been coming since we were smaller than her,” said Rebecca Perry and Ainsley Blackburn, annual festival goers. “It makes family happy.”

Economic impact

Organizers said the festival draws over 30,000 people each year. Nearby restaurants felt the surge. River’s Edge logged more than 1,000 tickets Saturday alone.

“We get to see everything, we have a back balcony right here that a lot of people like to see and we can see everything over there, and we can see the parade every time they come through, it was pretty nice,” said Holden Glen, a server at River’s Edge Bar & Grill.

Honoring shrimpers

Each year a wreath is laid to honor shrimpers who have passed. This year, two wreaths were dropped into the river, including one for Matthew ‘Buck’ Linton, a pillar in the shrimping community who passed away last weekend.

“April ninth through eleventh 2027 join us in Darien, Georgia for the Blessing of the Fleet. We’ll see ya then,” said Beth and Ben Brynes, annual festival goers.