The Town of Thunderbolt is proud to announce the return of Blessing of the Fleet. On hiatus since the 1980s, the festival pays tribute to Thunderbolt’s vibrant shrimping and fishing industries and seeks to honor the legacy of the community’s development. The Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition that started in the early 1900’s, […]
The Town of Thunderbolt announces the return of the fourth annual Blessing of the Fleet Festival, a cherished tradition honoring the community’s vibrant maritime heritage. Under Mayor Dana Williams’ administration, this year’s festival will be presented by Tubby’s Tank House and JIT Logistics and is planned for Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 11 am to 5 pm on River Drive along the Wilmington River in […]
April 25, 2026, 12 – 6 p.m. A free, family-friendly celebration of our maritime heritage. Boats, music, food, art, and community along the Wilmington Riverfront. Come on out! What is the Blessing of the Fleet tradition? The Blessing of the Fleet is a time-honored coastal tradition where local clergy bless the fishing boats and crews […]