CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The coastal town of Cape Charles is set to honor its maritime heritage with the return of the 19th Annual Blessing of the Fleet, scheduled for Friday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at the Cape Charles Town Docks in Cape Charles Harbor.
The longstanding tradition brings together local watermen, residents, and visitors to celebrate the start of a new working season on the Chesapeake Bay. The event serves both as a community gathering and a symbolic send-off, offering blessings for safety, prosperity, and calm seas in the months ahead.
Fishing vessels and working boats—ranging from small skiffs to larger commercial boats—will line the harbor as they receive a ceremonial blessing. The event highlights the vital role watermen play in sustaining the region’s economy and preserving its cultural identity.
Town officials say the annual gathering has grown steadily over the years, becoming a signature spring event for Cape Charles. The ceremony is expected to draw families, tourists, and maritime enthusiasts who want to experience the town’s close ties to the water.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for a good viewing spot along the docks. The event is free and open to the public.
As Cape Charles looks ahead to another busy season on the water, the Blessing of the Fleet remains a reminder of the town’s enduring connection to the water—and the people who make their living from it.
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And yet you still want to force them out of the harbor.
In their eyes its perfectly okay to use us as free advertising. In every promotion you read about the watermen and the local seafood. But the reality is there’s not a single plate served with anything that comes over those docks. The closest are the farm raised clams and oysters but do they come off the boats in the harbor? …..Nope. They want the dock space for more yachts just like how they have tried to get rid of the concrete plant. Most all of these new residents look down their noses at watermen. They have no love for real working people ( blue collar) until they need something
Damn shame what these people have done to Cape Charles.
Where the heck did you get that picture?? They’re Canadian boats most likely in Nova Scotia!! What a bunch of idiots the town has working for them. That wouldn’t have happened under Smitty’s watch.
Editor’s Note: Great catch…You have a lot of good things to say, send us an opinion piece on the state of the harbor, we will publish it.
AI
Thanks Wayne but I’ll decline. I’m not a writer. I’ll only state the obvious… under current conditions the watermen are being pushed out of town just like the poor black people were.
Editor’s Note: You are not wong.
Always remember, it is the citizens of The Eastern Shore that allowed this all to happen. They stood silent and watched it all unfold year by year, staring at their cell phones.
You better believe it. My daddy bought your daddy’s farm. He drank the money away and left you nothing. Now you are angry with me?
Angry? I really do not care if you and your daddy evaporated into thin air last Wednesday at noon. My dad was career military, not a dirt farmer and didn’t drink. Bless your heart.
Arguing with someone on here is one thing, but talking about their family members proves you’re an ass.
Unfortunately Stewart, the only people that have any influence here on the shore are the people that are in government position or have large bank accounts. These public meetings are jokes! The deals are done well before any meeting is published. ….the rich keep getting richer. Take the ordinances on building homes. How can a working couple with no family land or money ever build a house? They can’t!!. Most areas are zoned agriculture that require 5 acres to build. Then you need a house. The shore has become a retirement community with an exception for Northern Accomack.
Damn Shame…
Yep.
There’s a group of opportunist$ harve$ting a$ many buck$ a$ po$$ible around Cape Charle$ $cratching each other’$ back$ in a kind of team effort. The public be damned…
Bottom feeder enrichment.