Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival
Date: Apr 26, 2026
Time: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
The Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival is the most popular event of the year in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina! This is a must-see festival for anyone looking for things to do in the Charleston area. With the iconic Ravenel Bridge and Cooper River as a backdrop, this family-friendly waterfront festival honors the Lowcountry’s fishing heritage with a traditional Blessing of the Fleet and shrimp boat parade, where working shrimp boats receive a ceremonial blessing for a safe and successful season. Festival-goers can enjoy local seafood samplings prepared by Mount Pleasant chefs, live music throughout the day, a craft show, free activities for all ages, and a Mount Pleasant Artists Guild juried art exhibit featuring regional artists! #JustAsk where your seafood came from before you buy! Support local and wild-caught to support your fishermen; nothing beats Wild American Shrimp!
Crowd favorites are the festival’s signature competitions! The Shrimp Eating Contest delivers fast-paced, laugh-out-loud fun as contestants race to claim seafood bragging rights, while the lively Shag-Dance Contest celebrates South Carolina’s official state dance with smooth moves, classic beach music, and plenty of audience energy. Whether you’re visiting the Lowcountry, planning a Charleston-area getaway, or searching for a unique South Carolina festival, the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival offers an authentic coastal experience filled with tradition, entertainment, and unforgettable waterfront views! Admission and activities are free!
Watch the “Behind The Blessing” video series to get a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day of Mount Pleasant’s shrimpers! Follow the Facebook event page to stay up-to-date on event information and join the discussion.
Event Day Schedule
- 11:00 AM National Anthem with Mount Pleasant Fire Department Honor Guard, Mayor’s Welcome
- 11:20 AM Procession begins at the Pier Entrance Gate (Honor Guard, Ministers, Mayor, Dignitaries)
- 11:30 AM Blessing at the end of the Pier + Boat Parade in Charleston Harbor
Listen live in the park and on your phone via 92.5 Kickin’ Country - 12:30 PM Opening Band performance
- 2:00 PM East Coast Party Band performance
- 3:00 PM Shrimp Eating Contest (presented by Top Shelf Catering & Beverage Company)
- 3:30 PM Bowers Beach Boogie Contest with East Coast Party Band (presented by Harris Teeter)
- 5:00 PM Bon Voyage!
Restaurants & Food Vendors
Enjoy delicious seafood and plenty of other festival-favorite menu items offered by some of Mount Pleasant’s favorite restaurants and caterers – come hungry! Below is a list of restaurants that participated in the 2025 festival.
- Graze
- Mazyck’s Grill
- Charleston Festival Foods
- Zeus Grill & Seafood
- Charleston Bay Gourmet
- The Caterer of Charleston
- Top Shelf Catering
- Plus vendors serving kettle korn, funnel cakes, shaved ice, ice cream, baked goods, and more.
Parking & Shuttles
There is no public parking at Memorial Waterfront Park due to current construction, with the exception of limited handicapped-accessible spaces.
Park & Walk: Parking is available at the Omar Shrine Temple.
- 10:45 AM – 5:15 PM – Free shuttle buses run continuously throughout the day
- 5:00 PM – Last shuttles depart from the park
- Accessible – Wheelchair-accessible shuttles available from Town Hall and the Novant Health Mullis Building
- Riders are welcome to bring chairs and festival gear on the shuttle buses.
- Find Shuttle Details & Locations Here!
Event Beneficiary Information
Continuing a tradition begun by the Magwood family when the festival started in 1988, the net proceeds from the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival are donated each year to local nonprofit organizations that partner with the Town on volunteer recruitment and management for the event. The 2025 festival beneficiaries were the Rotary Club of Mount Pleasant and MeowDog Animal Rescue. Be sure to stock up on official event memorabilia during the festival; every purchase helps support these wonderful local causes!
Visit this page if you are interested in applying for the craft show, being a sponsor, or a vendor at a Town of Mount Pleasant event!
Memorial Waterfront Park, 99 Harry M. Hallman Junior Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
