The Annual Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival presented by East Cooper Medical Center and Harris Teeter is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year! The festival pays tribute to Mount Pleasant's local shrimping and fishing industry, offering a boat parade, live music, craft show and lots of free activities with the picturesque Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor for a backdrop!

Activities
Participants are treated to a boat parade and ceremonial blessing of the shrimp/fishing fleet, savory seafood samplings sold by some of Mount Pleasant's best restaurants, live music, a craft show, Shag and shrimp-eating contests, and family-friendly activities. Admission and activities are free! Come enjoy a wonderful time with your community in one of the most beautiful settings in the Lowcountry!

Beneficiary
Continuing the tradition begun by the Magwood family who started the festival in 1988, every year the net proceeds from the festival have been given to local nonprofit organizations who partner with the Town on volunteer recruitment and management for the event.  The 2022 beneficiaries were East Cooper Community Outreach and Carolina Children's Charity.  Be sure to stock up on event memorabilia to benefit these wonderful local charities!

Craft Show
Stroll through the Craft Show and enjoy a variety of hand-made arts and crafts. You're sure to find plenty of unique Lowcountry creations that make great gifts for yourself or your loved ones!

If you are a crafter or artist interested in participating in the Craft Show, please submit an application by February 25th.

Restaurants & Food Vendors
Enjoy delicious seafood and plenty of other festival favorite menu items offered by some of Mount Pleasant's favorite restaurants and caterers! Special thanks to the 2022 vendors. Stay tune for the information on the 2023 festival.

- Gilligan's
- Graze
- Mazyck's Grill
- Not Just Franks Cafe
- Zeus Grill & Seafood
- The Caterer of Charleston
- Top Shelf Catering
- Briele's Catering & Special Events
-Plenty of snack vendors also serve up such treats as kettle korn, funnel cakes, shaved ice, ice cream, fresh pork skins, and more!

Date: April 30, 2023 from 11:00am to 5:00pm

Schedule of Events:

11:00 am Opening Band
12:30 pm National Anthem, Mayor's Welcome
12:50 pm Blessing Procession on Pier
1:00 pm Boat Parade & Blessing of the Fleet
2:00 pm East Coast Party Band
3:30 pm hrimp Eating Contest presented by Gilligan's Seafood Restaurant
4:00 pm Bowers Beach Boogie Dance Competition presented by Harris Teeter

Cost: FREE Parking & Shuttles
Parking is limited at Memorial Waterfront Park. Free shuttle buses run continually from 11 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Riders are welcome to bring chairs and festival gear on the buses! The last buses leave the park at 5:00 p.m.

Bus 1, 2 & 3 (one wheelchair accessible bus):
East Cooper Medical Center, Mullis Building, 851 Leonard Fulghum Blvd

Bus 4 & 5 (one wheelchair accessible bus):
Town Hall, 100 Ann Edwards Lane (Bus will stop in front of Town Hall near the CARTA Route 40 stop…ride CARTA & skip driving entirely!)

Bus 6 & 7 (one wheelchair accessible bus):
Cheryll Woods-Flowers Soccer Complex, 85 Patriots Point Road
The Mount Pleasant Recreation Department wheelchair-accessible bus will stop here.
This offsite parking location is a short walk to the park if you prefer not to wait for the bus!

Location: Memorial Waterfront Park, 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd

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