Blessing of the Fleet -
October 4 & 5
Click on photos for full-sized images
The Piscataway Indian Nation presented a cultural program to include
dancing and drumming with interesting and educational commentary
about their history and culture. Piscataway Indian James Edwards
performed one of many cultural and colorful dances for the Blessing
of the Fleet audience.
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The line was out the door and down the sidewalk for tours of the
newly-completed Blackistone Lighthouse replica. Curiosity seekers
and lighthouse lovers came out in droves for a look at the new
lighthouse.
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More than 3,000 people were transported to St. Clement's Island to
see the new Blackistone Lighthouse, even Pinch, the mascot for the
new Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball team (note the guy in the
blue fur!).
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What's a parade without a marching band? One of the highlights of
the weekend is the Sunday morning parade at the St. Clement's Island
Museum riverfront. Here, the marching band from Leonardtown High
School makes a grand impression as they perform in front of the
crowd.
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Archbishop Pietro Sambi along with local clergy and altar servers
blesses the Blackistone Lighthouse before celebrating the Roman
Catholic mass.
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The Dove, a replica of one of the first English ships to arrive at
St. Clement's Island in 1634, sailed up the Potomac from Historic
St. Mary's City to dock at the island pier for public tours. The
crew and docents wore period costumes and gave dramatic accounts of
life aboard the vessel in the 17th century.
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