Week of Blessings

By Patrick McDermott
DESTIN — An annual tradition in Destin hits a milestone this month when the Blessing of the Fleet turns 50.
Started in 1957, the event brings together the community to ask for God’s blessing for boats, captains, crews and their families.
“Fifty years is a huge milestone,” said the Rev. Canon Mike Hesse, minister at Immanuel Anglican Church, which hosts the event. This year the blessing will be May 17.
Each boat sails by the docks while local pastors offer prayers of protection. More than 100 boats lined up last year including charter boats, personal crafts, sightseeing tours, marine maintenance vessels and a Coast Guard ship.
“Destin’s heritage is built on the backs of those who made their livings on the sea,” Hesse said. “It’s a foundation that helps us to understand Destin at its core.”
A service starts at 4 p.m. at the Destin Community Center. Fisherman are invited to stand and give their testimonies. Dr. Forrest Mobley will be the guest speaker. Once the service is over, everyone proceeds across the street to the docks for the blessing. Afterwards, a fish fry will be held back at the Destin Community Center.
In recent years, the event has expanded to a four-day celebration known as Destin’s Week of Blessings.
Services kick off at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday with blessings for the city led by Mayor Craig Barker and area pastors. Following that, the Blessing of the Youth will be held with
special guests Matt Pitt from Whosoever Ministries and music from Chris Taylor and Tree63. All middle and high school students are invited.
On Friday, the celebration continues with the Blessing of the Children and Families from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m. Face painting, balloon animals, snow cones and cotton candy are planned for the free festivities.
The event concludes with the Blessing on the Marketplace at 8 a.m. Saturday. This general worship service is designed for local businesses. Guest speaker Os Hillman will focus on the subject of faith at work.