Ratickle
05-22-2013, 08:28 PM
Do any of you have similar "Blessing" events in your areas?
MUSKEGON, MI – Landlubbers might not understand, but the beginning of the boating season – traditionally Memorial Day weekend – is a downright “spiritual” awakening for many recreational boaters.
The Rev. Tom Scott is shown blessing the Muskegon fleet in 2009.
Chronicle file photo
The Muskegon boating community will again honor the natural setting that is Muskegon Lake, pay tribute to those who have served the nation on the high seas, kick off the summer season … and do a little partying. The latter will continue all summer through Labor Day.
The annual Blessing of the Boats will be Sunday, May 26, as part of the Memorial Day celebration along the Muskegon Channel that links Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan. There will be plenty to do on the water and along the south channel wall.
“It’s all about showcasing the great recreation, commercial and municipal port we have, while paying tribute to those that have served on boats as part of history,” said Roger Zuidema of Muskegon Lake Effect Boating – a one-man-inspired social media movement to promote, celebrate and enjoy boating in Muskegon.
The activities begin with the solemn Lost Boat Ceremony at the USS Silversides Museum, 1346 Bluff St. at 11 a.m. The annual event honors the 3,500 World War II submarine veterans lost during that war as 52 American submarines were downed by enemy action.
The keynote speaker at this year’s Lost Boat Ceremony will be Vice Admiral Albert H. Konetzni Jr., retired from the U.S. Navy. Konetzni served as the deputy commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. State Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, will also provide a tribute.
At the end of the ceremony, the two working diesel engines of the USS Silversides will be started to the thrill of all gathered, museum Executive Director Frank Marczak said.
Roger Zuidema
By 1 p.m., all boaters in the Muskegon area are invited to gather near the south breakwall in the Muskegon Channel near Lake Michigan. The Gathering of the Fleet will showcase boats of all sizes and descriptions, Zuidema said.
The Washing of the Lighthouse will be at 1:15 p.m., as community members will ceremonially clean the South Pier Lighthouse as a symbol of inviting people to Muskegon’s shores during the summer months. For those wanting to contribute to the lighthouses upkeep and maintenance, contributions are accepted at Muskegon Lights, Historic Lighthouses in Muskegon, Michigan, MI | (http://www.muskegonlights.org).
The Port City Princess – Muskegon’s dinner and sunset cruise ship that operates out of the Mart Dock in downtown Muskegon – will join the fleet at 1:30 p.m. for a parade down the Muskegon Channel toward Muskegon Lake. Once in Muskegon Lake, the Blessing of the Boats will begin at 1:45 p.m.
From the deck of the Port City Princess, the Rev. Tom Scott, pastor of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Muskegon, will bless each boat as it passes. The blessing will take place just inside Muskegon Lake south of the channel near the city beach at Harbour Towne.
Finally, the boating community and all landlubbers are invited to Dockers Fish House and Lounge, 3505 Marina View Point at the Harbour Towne development for a “Funday-Sunday” from 3 to 7 p.m.
For more information, visit the Lake Effect Boating website at www.lakeeffectboating.com.
Email: dalexan1@mlive.com
Facebook: Dave Alexander
Blessing of the boats: Traditional Muskegon Memorial Day weekend event slated for May 26 | MLive.com (http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2013/05/blessing_of_the_boats_traditio.html)
MUSKEGON, MI – Landlubbers might not understand, but the beginning of the boating season – traditionally Memorial Day weekend – is a downright “spiritual” awakening for many recreational boaters.
The Rev. Tom Scott is shown blessing the Muskegon fleet in 2009.
Chronicle file photo
The Muskegon boating community will again honor the natural setting that is Muskegon Lake, pay tribute to those who have served the nation on the high seas, kick off the summer season … and do a little partying. The latter will continue all summer through Labor Day.
The annual Blessing of the Boats will be Sunday, May 26, as part of the Memorial Day celebration along the Muskegon Channel that links Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan. There will be plenty to do on the water and along the south channel wall.
“It’s all about showcasing the great recreation, commercial and municipal port we have, while paying tribute to those that have served on boats as part of history,” said Roger Zuidema of Muskegon Lake Effect Boating – a one-man-inspired social media movement to promote, celebrate and enjoy boating in Muskegon.
The activities begin with the solemn Lost Boat Ceremony at the USS Silversides Museum, 1346 Bluff St. at 11 a.m. The annual event honors the 3,500 World War II submarine veterans lost during that war as 52 American submarines were downed by enemy action.
The keynote speaker at this year’s Lost Boat Ceremony will be Vice Admiral Albert H. Konetzni Jr., retired from the U.S. Navy. Konetzni served as the deputy commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. State Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, will also provide a tribute.
At the end of the ceremony, the two working diesel engines of the USS Silversides will be started to the thrill of all gathered, museum Executive Director Frank Marczak said.
Roger Zuidema
By 1 p.m., all boaters in the Muskegon area are invited to gather near the south breakwall in the Muskegon Channel near Lake Michigan. The Gathering of the Fleet will showcase boats of all sizes and descriptions, Zuidema said.
The Washing of the Lighthouse will be at 1:15 p.m., as community members will ceremonially clean the South Pier Lighthouse as a symbol of inviting people to Muskegon’s shores during the summer months. For those wanting to contribute to the lighthouses upkeep and maintenance, contributions are accepted at Muskegon Lights, Historic Lighthouses in Muskegon, Michigan, MI | (http://www.muskegonlights.org).
The Port City Princess – Muskegon’s dinner and sunset cruise ship that operates out of the Mart Dock in downtown Muskegon – will join the fleet at 1:30 p.m. for a parade down the Muskegon Channel toward Muskegon Lake. Once in Muskegon Lake, the Blessing of the Boats will begin at 1:45 p.m.
From the deck of the Port City Princess, the Rev. Tom Scott, pastor of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Muskegon, will bless each boat as it passes. The blessing will take place just inside Muskegon Lake south of the channel near the city beach at Harbour Towne.
Finally, the boating community and all landlubbers are invited to Dockers Fish House and Lounge, 3505 Marina View Point at the Harbour Towne development for a “Funday-Sunday” from 3 to 7 p.m.
For more information, visit the Lake Effect Boating website at www.lakeeffectboating.com.
Email: dalexan1@mlive.com
Facebook: Dave Alexander
Blessing of the boats: Traditional Muskegon Memorial Day weekend event slated for May 26 | MLive.com (http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2013/05/blessing_of_the_boats_traditio.html)