If you thought a traffic jam on 95 South was hard to handle then consider what happens when you put 200 boats on the Occoquan River at one time. This weekend is the annual blessing of the fleet to be held at Belmont Bay in Prince William County. The more than 200 boats scheduled to participate in the ceremony will be led in a procession by a fireboat from the Prince William Marina, pass under the Route 1 overpass and by the blessing boat docked at the Belmont Bay Marina.

The blessing will be lead by the minister from Cranford United Methodist Church in Lorton and then the boats will continue their procession down the Occoquan River towards the Potomac. The blessing of the fleet started many years ago in large fishing communities to ensure a safe fishing season. Now the blessing ceremony is used as an event to celebrate the official start of boating season.

Crowds are expected to gather all along the river route to watch the event and all boat owners are welcome to participate. So come down to the Occoquan River and take in the blessing of the fleet Saturday from 11-2. This is a great way to enjoy all of the beauty of Belmont Bay and see happy boaters (and their pets) with their colorful flags flying.

The Blessing:

As you sail the waters, may you be protected from the dangers of the wind, the rain, shallow water and the perils of the deep. Amen