Tradition Continues at May Fair

Come celebrate the best that Coastal Georgia has to offer with fresh seafood, local culture, boating and shrimping, arts, crafts, and live music. May Fair, celebrating the 81st Annual

Brunswick Blessing of the Fleet, will be held at Mary Ross Waterfront Park on Saturday,

May 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the actual blessing taking place at 2:00 p.m. The festival will feature fun and games for the kids, fabulous food, great family entertainment, and a variety of artists and craft vendors.

The blessing tradition was first begun around the time of WWII by Portuguese immigrants who introduced the ceremony to their new American home in coastal Georgia. The event is held on Mother’s Day weekend to honor Our Lady of Fatima, the patron saint of Portugal. During the blessing, freshly painted and decorated shrimp trawlers circle the waterfront, with “working” boats usually joined by recreational watercraft. In a procession, the boats pass by a boat with local clergy and honor guard on board, and the priest sprinkles holy water and blesses each boat as it goes by. Boats are judged on their decorations and prizes are awarded. The boats then move up the East River to St. Simons Sound, where a flower anchor is laid upon the water in memory of local fishermen who perished at sea.

Gates to May Fair will open at 10:00 a.m. with arts & crafts and food vendors, commercial displays, an education area that includes the UGA marine life touch tank, a children’s area, and the Southeast Georgia Health System Wellness Mobile. Musical and other family fun entertainment will begin on the stage at 10:00 a.m. Performers include soulful saxophonist/singer Michael Hulett, 80s cover band Squirt Gun, and rockers CP & the Shockers. A Furry Friends Pet Parade and Costume Contest with prizes will be held at 1:00 p.m. The marine procession and blessing take place at 2:00 p.m. Come hungry to participate in the shrimp eating contest held following the blessing ceremony until 5:30 p.m. ($10/per person entry fee). Admission to May Fair is free, so plan to join the fun. For more information and boat registration, visit brunswickblessing.com.

Will McKenzie

Financial Advisor 559 Ocean Blvd. St. Simons Island, GA (912) 634-6557

James Sexton

Financial Advisor 3409 Frederica Road St. Simons Island, GA (912) 634-9796

Logan Jones

Financial Advisor 1430 Newcastle Street Brunswick, GA (912) 264-8865

Ginny Johnson

Financial Advisor 219 Edwards Plaza St. Simons Island, GA (912) 634-0200

Jeff Jones

Financial Advisor 1430 Newcastle Street Brunswick, GA (912) 264-8865

Dale McNabb

Financial Advisor 29 Coral Park Way, Ste. 102 Brunswick, GA (912) 267-9374