Geraldton’s Blessing of the Fleet set to be bigger and better following last year’s revival

Another big crowd is expected at this year’s Blessing of the Fleet ceremony, as the committee behind it hopes to re-establish the event as an annual gathering.

Beginning in 1959 as a tradition among Catholics within the fishing industry, the ceremony involved fishing boats driving past a priest to get a blessing, before passing the statue of the Madonna and heading to the wharf.

It was a popular tradition but was put on hiatus for a short time due to fatigue about 10 years ago, according to the Blessing of the Fleet committee, before a number of people got together to revive it last year.

It proved popular, with more than 5000 people attending Fishing Boat Harbour to take part in the festivities.

Committee secretary Tracey Basile hoped this year’s event would be even better.

“We’ve had a huge amount of support from our local people, there’s so many who put their hand up and contribute,” she said.

“It’s part of the fishing community, and it’s a very long tradition in Geraldton.

“We had over 5000 people which we just weren’t expecting which was fantastic.”

This year’s event will feature popular events like the dunking pool and the rope-pull return, while various tours will take place with Dongara Marine, Batavia Coast Maritime Institute and the Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-operative.

Fishability will be on deck with a blowfish-catching competition, the Catholic youth group will put on activities and a mechanical surfboard will also be among the celebrations.

Live music will be performed, while Skeetas will be rolling out lobster rolls among the increased number of food options available.

The headline event will have 17 boats paraded and the best-dressed boat will be crowned.

Among the new events is the cray cart rally, which Ms Basile said was returning after being a part of the event in the past.

“We didn’t have that last year but some of us remember it from years and years ago,” she said.

“We wanted to reinstate that, so Workpower has donated a couple of pots as prizes, and they’ve also made the cray pots with wheels on so the wheels are actually floats.”

A number of groups have contributed to this year’s event, including Lotterywest, Mid West Ports Authority and Checked Events.

The Blessing of the Fleet will take place from 9.30am on Sunday at Fishing Boat Harbour