Community Corner
Blessing Of The Fleet Celebrates Fishermen, Remembers Those Lost
After a couple of years without a formal parade and post-blessing festivities, this year's revival of those two aspects drew a large crowd to the town dock.
Good weather and solemn remembrance marked the 60th Blessing of the Fleet Sunday at the Town Dock in Stonington Borough.
The day started with a 10:30 a.m. Mass to commemorate the lives lost at sea. Michael R. Cote, the Bishop of the Norwich Diocese, then led a parade down to the Town Docks, where Cote offered two prayers and blessed the boats in the Stonington fishing fleet.
Cote boarded the fishing vessel Neptune, which led a procession of boats just outside of Stonington Harbor, where a memorial wreath was laid in the water.
Afterward, the more than 300 spectators enjoyed a free performance by the band Double Play and food and drink.
Check out these pictures of the 2013 Blessing of the Fleet.
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