The Narragansett Lions Club held its first Blessing of the Fleet in the summer of 1972. Back in 1972, this was a 1-day event held in Galilee. Over the years, it grew into a beloved 2-day festival that includes a certified road race, a festive parade of boats, great food, live music, and people by the thousands making wonderful new memories. And starting in 2017, it was expanded to 3 days! Our Blessing of the Fleet Celebration includes 3 main events.

Attended by almost 30,000 people each year, the Festival is a major part of our Blessing of the Fleet Celebration. It runs Thursday night through Saturday night.

Here you will find food, offered by the Narragansett Lions Club as well as other food vendors, games, rides, our famous beer tent (we also have wine), plus live music performed by popular local bands.

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Time: 4:00PM – 10:30PM

- $5.00 entry fee to music area on Thursday

- The Ravers play from 6:30PM to 9:30PM

Friday, July 28, 2023

Blessing of the Fleet 10-Mile Road Race

Time: 4:00PM – 10:30PM

- No entry fee to music area on Friday

- Heavy Rescue plays from 6:30PM to 10:30PM

Approximately 3,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair entrants compete on a scenic 10-mile course through historic Narragansett. Racers compete for best in class.

We passed 2,000 registrations for our Blessing of the Fleet 10 mile race on July 28th and we only have 3,000 race shirts. Don’t delay, sign up soon!

The race is certified and is listed as one of the top races of its distance in New England.

Entrants hail from all over New England and across the country.

The finish line is by The Towers, in Narragansett Pier, next to the Atlantic Ocean and Veterans Memorial Park, site of the Blessing of the Fleet Festival.

Participants receive an official Blessing of the Fleet Race Shirt at check in.

Early bib number pick up:

July 19 and 26, from 4-7pm at the Wakefield Running Club, 20 Main Street, Ste B,  (Belmont Market Plaza) Wakefield, RI

July 22 from 8am-noon at the Narragansett Pier Middle School, 235 S Pier Rd, Narragansett, RI US 02882

Friday, July 28 day of the event at the Narragansett Pier Middle School from 2pm until race time.

    5:00PM: Walk Begins
    6:00PM: Run Begins

Race Registration Information

Registration details

Awards

There will be no awards ceremony. Instead, check results online to see if you placed in a category. Awards can be picked up at Wakefield Running Company.

Awards are donated by the Narragansett Lions Club from your entry fees.
    
Prizes will be awarded to the following finishers compliments of the Narragansett Lions Club:

- Top Ten Male Finishers

- Top Ten Female Finishers

- Top Three Male Finishers in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+, AND 19 & under Divisions

- Top Three Female Finishers in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+, and 19 & under Divisions

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Timing: 4:00PM – 10:30PM

$5.00 entry fee to music area on Saturday

Felix Brown Band plays from 7:00PM to 10:00PM

The Blessing of the Fleet is a colorful event featuring a parade of decorated commercial and recreational watercraft, large and small. A local clergyman blesses each and every vessel as they pass as the spectators along the breachway wave and cheer them on. There is also an optional boat decoration contest, should captains wish to participate.

Want to learn how this got started?

Visit our 1st Blessing of the Fleet page, and view a collection of newspaper clippings, letters, and even a copy of the program signed by Lions and their wives.

Time: Boat parade starts at noonish (after the Block Island Ferry departs)

Where: Salty Brine State Beach Parking Lot adjacent to the Breachway

Decoration Contest

Decorate your boat and show it off during the Parade of Boats!

Dates: July 27 - 29, 2023

Locations:

Memorial Square , Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882
Narragansett Pier Middle School , 235 South Pier, Narragansett, RI 02882

Click Here for more information.