Help Keep the Blessing of the Fleet Alive – Our 70th Year

For 70 years, the Blessing of the Fleet Parade and Festival has been a cherished tradition in our community — a day that brings locals together to celebrate our fishing heritage, and enjoy a festival that belongs to everyone.

The volunteer Festival Committee is working incredibly hard to deliver this year’s event, but we also know it has been a tough year for local businesses. Sponsorship is harder to secure than ever, and grant funding has become increasingly difficult to obtain.

This year is especially significant. It marks the 70th anniversary of the Blessing of the Fleet. Sadly, with rising costs and fewer people stepping forward to run the event, this could be the final year for the much-loved Festival.

To put things into perspective, it costs around $30,000 just to close the highway for the day — before staging, safety, insurance, and other essential expenses are even considered.

We are asking our community to help ensure this much-loved festival can go ahead in 2026. If community members were able to donate even $10, $20, or any amount, it would make a huge difference. Collective support at this level would allow the committee to focus on organising a safe, memorable event — rather than chasing large sponsors or non-existent grants.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps protect a tradition that has brought generations together. With your support, we can celebrate our 70th year proudly.

Thank you for supporting our festival, our volunteers, and our community ❤️