Blessing of the fleet signals the start of the fishing season

All crafts great and small gathered Sunday, May 7, following a parade of commercial fishing vessels and recreational boats, to watch the Blessing of the Fleet service from Cockrell Creek. The 51st annual event was held at the old Morris-Fisher factory tall stack on Omega Protein property at 610 Menhaden Road, Reedville. Sponsored by Omega Protein Inc. and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, the blessing signals the beginning of the fishing season on the lower Chesapeake Bay. Photo by Jackie Nunnery