A one-of-a-kind weekend: Celebrate all things maritime… plus art, music and more
The annual Northport Maritime Day and Blessing of the Fleet will be held tomorrow, June 3, at Northport Village Park. Photo courtesy Bill Raisch.
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The annual Northport Maritime Day and Blessing of the Fleet will be held tomorrow, June 3, at Northport Village Park (and the newly restored dock). Coordinated by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Northport Flotilla with help from the Village of Northport and the Northport Chamber of Commerce, the event celebrates Northport’s maritime past, present and future, and features a wide variety of activities for all ages, as well as a boat parade and vessels to be toured at the Village dock.
The day’s schedule includes…
8am: The Northport Farmers’ Market season opening at 8am
Inside tip: The Northport Native Garden Initiative will be selling mosquito dunk kits for $10 a piece. You know you need one.
9am: Northport Downhill Mile hosted by the Northport Running Club
The Northport Downhill Mile is a certified one-mile race that celebrates and promotes Northport’s nature, Village charm and community spirit. The fast and fun race starts at the Brosnan building and runs north (downhill!) on Laurel Avenue to Main Street, through scenic Northport Village and to the waterfront where there will be an awards ceremony. For more info and to register, click here.
10am-2pm: Village Park open for activities, booths and exhibits until 2 pm
11am: Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony at Northport Village Dock
12pm-2pm: Tours of vessels at the Northport Village dock (including fishing vessels, tug boat, rescue and response crafts)
Runners at a past Downhill/Nautical Mile approach the waterfront finish. Photo via Facebook.
Over 100 boats from the fleets of the Northport and Centerport yacht clubs, as well as general recreational vessels, will parade past the Village dock – with many “dressed” with full nautical flags. Boat parade plans include a rescue response boat from US Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck, US Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol Boats, the US Merchant Marine Academy’s 60-foot tug (the Elizabeth Anne), the Northport Fire Department Rescue Boat, and other public safety and maritime vessels.
Local clergy will bless each boat for a safe and enjoyable boating season. Elected officials, US Coast Guard leadership and yacht club flag officers will join in the review. After the blessing, Coast Guard, training and working vessels, including fishing vessels from Northport’s own baymen, will be at the Village dock for tours.
Directly after the blessing, judges will officiate at the Maritime Day contests to select winners of the best seafood chowder, best bisque and best brews and beverages. Northport’s restaurants, breweries and distillery will be featured in the competition.
What else?
A full range of seaworthy events, demonstrations and hands-on activities will be available throughout the day in Village Park, including:
A “nautical rodeo” will offer opportunities for all to practice and/or learn about the lifesaving skills of Active Duty and Auxiliary Coast Guard, including man-overboard drills, search-and-rescue patterns, mayday calls, emergency hauling line throws and other seamanship skills. Coast Guard Auxiliarists will also provide an overview of the many activities that Auxiliary volunteers can participate in, including direct support of US Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck.
The Northport Sea Scouts will host a “Rain-Gutter Regatta” for children.
Northport’s maritime history will be on display by the Northport Historical Society.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program will provide a Marine Life Touch Tank, and information on a wide variety of water quality issues and opportunities including shellfish restoration, the SPAT oyster program, Huntington Blueway, the Unified Water Study, stormwater runoff, and the local F.I.S.H. initiative.
Walk-up displays of vessels, including those from the Long Island Antique & Classic Boat Society, in Village Park, will be provided by other participating organizations. Plus, nautical and other music supplied by local Northport musicians will be played throughout the day. For more information, visit www.maritimeday.net.
Wait, there’s more…
The 62nd Annual Northport Art and Music Festival will be held on Sunday, June 4, in Northport Village Park.
