Following decades of tradition, fishing villages gather together to bless the fishing vessels at the start of the fishing season. This annual blessing is for a safe and prosperous fishing season.
The Northern Neck of VA Blessing of the Fleet ceremony is a much anticipated event. This year's blessing will be on Sunday, May 1, 2011. The day gets started at 3:30 pm with The Parade of Boats. 
Large boats, small boats, all types of boats from commercial fishing to speed boats are invited to join the parade.
The blessing can be enjoyed from land or from boat. In years past, my husband and I have gathered friends together on our small boat along with heavy snacks and drinks, and enjoyed an entire afternoon of fellowship and fun. A wonderful video of the 2008 Blessing of the Fleet can be viewed here.
One highlight of this event is hearing the Northern Neck Chantey Singers. The fishing nets are very heavy when full of fish. The men used to pull the nets in by hand but it required all the men pulling at the same time. The workers would sing and on the chorus, they would all pull together. Today, most of the nets are pulled in using a power block wench. Occasionally, as the nets get close to the purse boats, the workers may still help pull them in by hand. Come and visit our fishing village of Reedville, VA, and enjoy the day on Sun., May 1, 2011. More information can be found on the Reedville Fishermen's Museum website.
Yvonne Hurt, CRS, GRI, ABR, ePRO Long & Foster REALTORS, 434 Rappahannock Drive, White Stone, VA Call on, Yvonne Hurt, "Your Northern Neck Real Estate Specialist" at 804-456-2144 or visit my website
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