Boats blessed at Onset Pier
About 100 people stood at the end of Onset pier on Saturday, July 4 as boats passed by to receive blessings for safe passage, abundant fish catches and a season of fun.
The Onset Bay Association held its annual Blessing of the Fleet on the Fourth of July with more than 30 boats sailing by Onset Pier to be splashed with blessing water. Pastor Don Bliss threw the water toward each boat as it passed the pier.
Boats were dressed up in all kinds of festive attire. This year's boat blessing featured patriotic minutemen, numerous American flags, mermaids and multiple people donning Statue of Liberty costumes.
Onset resident Alton McCane said that this year was the first time he attended the boat blessing. He said that the blessing was "really fun."
"All the boats, the people on there, they're amazing," he said, adding that many of the decorated ships honored the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Multiple boats sailed past the pier during the boat blessing with flags celebrating the 250th anniversary.
Each year, the Onset Bay Association selects a coveted best-dressed boat award. This year's winner was "Knot Working," whose occupants dressed up as American Revolution-era minutemen, rowing and playing the trombone as it approached the pier.
This year's runner-up was the S.S. Sheila, according to Onset Bay Association organizers, which featured pirates, a mermaid and a parrot.
"We had a great showing of boats, which was really nice," Onset Bay Association executive director Kat Jones said.











