Photos by Frank Santangelo 

By Joe DiGirolamo

This past Saturday under beautiful clear skies over the Mystic River, the Annual Blessing of the Fleet Celebration took place. 

The day began with the Blessing of the Boats Parade. As boats from Medford’s Mystic Wellington Yacht Club, Somerville’s Winter Hill Yacht Club and Riverside Yacht Club of Medford paraded along the Mystic River: Clergy, Yacht Club Flag Officers and even State Representative Paul Donato were on hand to help bless the boats and the waters of the Mystic to kick off the Summer season.

All the boats then returned to Mystic Wellington Yacht Club in Medford where friends and families celebrated a fun day of great food, music and dancing into the night.

Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke also stopped by and presented the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club Scholarship Awards that are presented annually to 2 Medford High School students. This year’s recipients were Joseph M. Egitto and Ann Viet Lee.

The practice of the Blessing of the Boats began hundreds of years ago and has become an annual tradition. The actual Blessing the boats is believed to be a ritual to ensure a safe and bountiful season.