Blessing of the Fleet celebrates waterfront community heritage

Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review
·1 min read

HARBOR SPRINGS — Paddleboards, sailboats and more made their way into Little Traverse Bay on Thursday, June 27 in celebration of the Blessing of the Fleet.

The Blessing of the Fleet kicked off June 27, 2024 in Harbor Springs.
The Blessing of the Fleet kicked off June 27, 2024 in Harbor Springs.

Each year, the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society celebrates Fleet Week, which features a series of events leading up to the Blessing of the Fleet. Fleet Week is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the historical society.

Members of the Woodland Singers from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians perform a traditional Anishnaabe water song ceremony before the Blessing of the Fleet on June 27, 2024.
Members of the Woodland Singers from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians perform a traditional Anishnaabe water song ceremony before the Blessing of the Fleet on June 27, 2024.

"This event is is not only important to us because of its fundraising nature ... but it's also important to us as a learning event," said Kristyn Balog, executive director of the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society.

The Northern Michigan Sloop, celebrating its 90th year, joined in on the Blessing of the Fleet for the first time.
The Northern Michigan Sloop, celebrating its 90th year, joined in on the Blessing of the Fleet for the first time.

Balog said the event is used to help teach people in the community, as well as visitors, about the heritage surrounding the waterfront community and why the water is important to the community.

Around 100 spectators joined on a dock to hear performances from the Harbor Springs Community Band and watch the Blessing of the Fleet on June 27, 2024.
Around 100 spectators joined on a dock to hear performances from the Harbor Springs Community Band and watch the Blessing of the Fleet on June 27, 2024.

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Fleet Week included different opportunities, like people being able to ride on a Jiimaan, an Odawa canoe, or learning about the Northern Michigan Sloop and its 90th anniversary.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. 

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Blessing of the Fleet celebrates waterfront community heritage in Harbor Springs

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