First Time? - Blessing of the Fleet, Bayview Boat Club

Blessing of the Fleet and Decorated Boat Parade

First-timer's Information

Is this your first Blessing of the Fleet and Boat Parade? Not sure what it’s all about, or how to participate?

Blessing of the Fleet:
The ‘blessing of the fleet’ is an old nautical tradition, originally practiced at the beginning of a new fishing or whaling season. The ships and fishing boats would pass by in the harbor, as a priest or clergyman would ask for Divine protection for each vessel and her crew. Today, the blessing ceremony has become an occasion for spectacular celebrations, with some harbors throwing a three-day festival around the event.

The Bayview Boat Club continues the tradition as we begin our new recreational boating season. And as we ask for protection from above, we should remember our responsibility to take proper care of those details that are within our control. Everyone is invited to register and join our ‘Blessing’ procession, decorated or not, and have our chaplain, Pat Lee, ask the blessing on their boat and crew. If you can’t join in, but wish to have your boat blessed in the slip, fill out the appropriate information on the Registration Form (coming soon). The chaplain will make the rounds on the docks.

Decorated Boat Parade:
Many boaters choose to decorate their boats for the ceremony and the parade. After the blessing, the decorated boats parade past several locations, before returning to Bayview for a party. Boats will be judged and awards presented at the party, for ‘Best Decorated’ small, large and sail boat.

So, what kind of decorations? You may take your inspiration from a movie or TV series, a character or animal, a song or book, a favorite city or travel destination, a hobby, a game or sport. Think of all the zany ideas that you’ve seen on parade floats, then think “floating parade”.

There really are no rules or limits, other than common decency (please, the kids are watching!). Let your imagination, creativity, sense of humor and resourcefulness run wild. Some focus only on decorating the boat itself. Others may add costumed crew and theme music. Whatever… “floats your boat”. As you design your decorating scheme, remember that it may be windy out there. Be careful about setting up anything easily knocked down or shredded by the wind.

Smaller Boats:
Think your boat is too small to bother decorating? Think again. In fact, we created a separate judging category for small boats. Although you may not have room to erect or tie on lots of “stuff”, consider that you and your crew can be part of the decorations, too. Do what you can with the boat, then add costumes, props, music, maybe even a bit of “acting it out” or pantomime, as you go by. You’re not judged only on one particular thing, but on how it all comes together - the overall impact you make. Make it entertaining for the viewers, have fun with it yourself, and you can’t go wrong.

Spectators:
If you aren't joining the procession, be sure and watch! The best viewing of the ceremony and parade is from the area behind Weekends Restaurant. Invite friends or family to join you - children especially enjoy the parade. The 'Blessing' begins at 1:00PM, but Weekends opens at noon, if you'd like to catch lunch from their new menu, before the parade.
Weather permitting, the boats will also parade past the rear of Bass Pro Shop, Garland, then across to pass Chandler's Landing and The Harbor, in Rockwall.

Registration:
Participants may register at Bass Pro during the week prior to the event.
There will be late registration at the Skippers Meeting at the Bayview Marina pool area at 11:00AM on the day of the event. Participants must come to the Skipper's Meeting to pick up their numbers (to identify their boat to the chaplain and judges), review their instructions and find out any late changes of plans. Weather or other changed circumstances sometimes require event-day changes in how we proceed.

Awards: At the Pirate Party, the Bayview Boat Club and Bass Pro will be awarding trophies and/or prizes for Best Decorated (three places), in each of the following categories:

Sail Boats
Small Power Boats
Large Power Boats

'The Harbor' will also be judging and presenting its own set of awards.

Schedule:
May 12 - 18: Register at the Bass Pro Customer Service desk. Participants may download the Registration Form, fill it out and drop it by Bass Pro, or fill one out, there. Participants who register at Bass Pro before May 19 will be entered into a drawing for 3 Islamorada Restaurant gift certificates.
Participants who register on the day of the event, must register at Bayview Marina.
May 19 (Saturday):
11:00AM - Skipper's Meeting
11:00AM - 12:00Noon Late registration, pick-up numbers, instructions and map.
12:30PM - Boats head out and form up on lake.
1:00PM - Boats begin to proceed slowly through Bayview Marina, north to south, past the back of Weekends Restaurant.
Boats exit marina, and decorated boats parade on to other points. Other boats may re-enter and dock.
4:00PM - Pirate Party by the pool begins.