Attend This Year’s Blessing of the Fleet Celebration in Narragansett

If you’re a novice to a Rhode Island vacation, you might be looking for things to do in Narragansett, RI, during your stay. From great and pet-friendly Narragansett vacation rentals to popular Narragansett events, you’ll find plenty of fun in the Ocean State!

Visit Narragansett when the weather is at its best and you’ll find many outdoor activities in and around the area, such as the Blessing of the Fleet. This year’s event is being held from July 28th-30th 2022.

Begun in July 1972, the Blessing of the Fleet calls attention to and underscores the importance of the area’s commercial fishing fleet. The idea originates from the Catholic tradition of blessing fishing boats in fishing communities that began centuries ago.

From the very first Blessing of the Fleet in Narragansett, the hopes were for the event to become an annual celebration and expand into a multiple-day summer festival. This vision became a reality when the Blessing turned into a two-day event and, starting in 2017, a three-day celebration with a festival and 10-mile race as highlighted activities.

Let’s take a closer look at this significant celebration and find out why this is a must-see event if you plan to be in Rhode Island in July.

Blessing of the Fleet Festival

The Blessing of the Fleet Festival is one of three events comprising the celebration and kicks off the three-day excitement. From food and games to rides and live music, this three-day festival, held at Memorial Square, runs Thursday, July 28th to Saturday, July 30th. The event will be open 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. the first day and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Be sure to stop by the famous beer tent (also serving wine).

Entry to the Festival is FREE! Join the 30,000 other partygoers who come to have a grand time and stop at the festival for one or maybe even all three days!

The Blessing of the Fleet 10-Mile Race

Take advantage of Narragansett’s stunning weather, and venture out of your cottage rental to compete in the Blessing of the Fleet 10-mile race! If you like to run and are competitive, you won’t want to miss participating in this iconic event, held on Friday starting at 6 p.m. The race takes you through historic Narragansett along Ocean and Point Judith Roads.

There are prizes paid for with entry fees for top male and female finishers in seven age groups plus the Top Ten finishers for each gender. Can’t run? Walk! Walkers register separately, and the walk starts at 5 p.m. (Note: if you intend to both walk and run, register as a runner; runners can walk, but it’s not suggested that registered walkers participate in the run).

The Blessing of the Fleet

The main event takes place on Saturday. 

The Blessing of the Fleet is a parade of colorfully decorated commercial and recreational boats of all sizes. Watch from the breachway as the ships pass and are blessed by a local clergyman. With an optional boat decorating contest, some boats will be fully decked out—a fun sight! Past winners have themed decorations such as Baby Shark, Star Wars, and tropical paradise.

If you’re lucky enough to book a beachfront Narragansett vacation rental, you may not have far to go to participate in all the festivities marking the annual Blessing of the Fleet event! Rentals are up to five bedrooms, many within walking distance to the boardwalk and beaches. 

There is much to discover in this area besides the Blessing of the Fleet. See it all when you book one of our Narragansett rentals.