Blessing of the Fleet June 22
Deacon Bob Curtis, Estelle Appel and the Rev. Katherine Pinkham at the 2021 Windjammer Days’ Blessing of the Fleet. File photo
Deacon Bob Curtis, Estelle Appel and the Rev. Katherine Pinkham at the 2021 Windjammer Days’ Blessing of the Fleet. File photoKicking off the 63rd annual Windjammer Days festival will be the Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, June 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Area clergy and organizer Judith “Judi” White will be gathered at the Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier near the Fishermen’s Memorial on Atlantic Avenue, across from Out Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, to bless the participating vessels as they motor past the pier.
White, daughter of Estelle Appel who ran the event for many years during the former Fishermen’s Festival and for Windjammer Days, said the ceremony will continue at the Memorial with a color guard and bagpiper leading a procession of clergy. At the Memorial, there be a song, the reading of the names of the people lost at sea from the plaque at the Memorial, followed by “Taps” and a benediction. The church’s bells will also be rung during the ceremony.
All are invited to join this solemn event, said White.
