2024 Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival

The Annual Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival presented by East Cooper Medical Center and Harris Teeter is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year! The festival pays tribute to Mount Pleasant’s local shrimping and fishing industry, offering a boat parade, live music, craft show and lots of free activities with the picturesque Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor for a backdrop!

#JustAsk where your seafood came from before you buy! Support local and wild caught to support your fishermen…nothing beats Wild American Shrimp!

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Participants are treated to a boat parade and ceremonial blessing of the shrimp/fishing fleet, savory seafood samplings sold by some of Mount Pleasant’s best restaurants, live music, a craft show, Shag and shrimp-eating contests, and family-friendly activities. Admission and activities are free! Come enjoy a wonderful time with your community in one of the most beautiful settings in the Lowcountry!

Parking is limited at Memorial Waterfront Park. Free shuttle buses run continually from 11 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Riders are welcome to bring chairs and festival gear on the buses! The last buses leave the park at 5:00 p.m.

Bus 1, 2 & 3 (one wheelchair accessible bus):

• East Cooper Medical Center, Mullis Building, 851 Leonard Fulghum Blvd

Bus 4 & 5 (one wheelchair accessible bus):

• Town Hall, 100 Ann Edwards Lane (Bus will stop in front of Town Hall near the CARTA Route 40 stop…ride CARTA & skip driving entirely!)

Bus 6 & 7 (one wheelchair accessible bus):

• Cheryll Woods-Flowers Soccer Complex, 85 Patriots Point Road
  • The Mount Pleasant Recreation Department wheelchair-accessible bus will stop here.
  • This offsite parking location is a short walk to the park if you prefer not to wait for the bus!

Continuing the tradition begun by the Magwood family who started the festival in 1988, every year the net proceeds from the festival have been given to local nonprofit organizations who partner with the Town on volunteer recruitment and management for the event.  The 2023 beneficiaries were Camp Rise Above and the Wayne Magwood Memorial Sculpture to honor the festival’s late founding father and pay homage to the captains whose hard work has made Shem Creek such a vital part of our town’s heritage. The sculpture will be placed on the Shem Creek pedestrian bridge named after the former captain. Be sure to stock up on event memorabilia to benefit these wonderful local causes!

Would your organization like to apply to be the 2024 beneficiary?  Please email events@tompsc.com for information and requirements.

Stroll through the Craft Show and enjoy a variety of hand-made arts and crafts. You’re sure to find plenty of unique Lowcountry creations that make great gifts for yourself or your loved ones!

If you are interested in participating, check back here in January to apply for the 37th Annual festival, scheduled for April 28, 2024.

Enjoy delicious seafood and plenty of other festival favorite menu items offered by some of Mount Pleasant’s favorite restaurants and caterers! Come hungry!

• Gilligan’s
• Graze
• Mazyck’s Grill
• Charleston Festival Foods
• Zeus Grill & Seafood
• The Caterer of Charleston
• Top Shelf Catering
• Buckshot’s 2 Go

Plenty of snack vendors also serve up such treats as kettle korn, funnel cakes, shaved ice, ice cream, fresh pork skins, and more!