Weekend with the Fleet ties tourism, fishing industries together

By Kat Bryant

The Daily World

The Blessing of the Fleet is a decades-old Memorial Day tradition in Westport. But last year, some members of the fishing community got together to expand on it.

“(WEfish) got involved because we felt like we wanted to support the effort that was already going into the Blessing of the Fleet — which is the VFW, the Coast Guard, the South Beach Ministerial Association, the city of Westport,” said Molly Bold, co-founder of WEfish, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the commercial fishing industry.

“We felt Westport has a festival every other weekend for three months, and there really was nothing that centered on commercial fishing, which really is the heart of the town,” said Bold, who’s also the Westport business manager for the Port of Grays Harbor.

WEfish board members decided to tap the synergy between Westport’s working waterfront and the tourists who walk the esplanade, she said.

“We saw an opportunity to expand on the Blessing of the Fleet, and also help teach people in the tourist community about commercial fishing and celebrate with the local families,” said Bold.

So began the Commercial Fishing Festival, which is entering its second year at the Maritime Museum as part of a greater three-day celebration dubbed Weekend with the Fleet. The festival will include arts and crafts for kids, gear display, games, fish filleting demonstrations, a crab shaking contest, hands-on displays of fish and gear, a beer garden and various vendors.

“I expect this to grow into an important yearly weekend festival that benefits the entire South Beach,” said John Shaw, executive director of the Maritime Museum. “WEfish has done a wonderful job in its outreach and education on the importance of the commercial fishing community, and has also taken a leadership role in care and the future of the fisherman’s Memorial in Westport.

“The Weekend with the Fleet brings all of those pieces together very nicely,” he said.

On Sunday during the blessing ceremony, the U.S. Coast Guard will lead a procession of boats out to drop the traditional wreath in honor of those lost at sea. Local boat owners may tune in to Channel 68 on the VHF around 1:15 p.m. Sunday for the signal to join the parade. The Coast Guard and Sea Scouts will lead the procession out of the boat basin and around the Point Chehalis buoy. Families are encouraged to join.

WEfish still needs volunteers to help out in the kids’ craft area on Saturday, and baked goods are needed goods for the Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday. Cookies may be dropped off Saturday at the WEfish booth at the festival, or on Sunday by 12:30 at the Fishermen’s Memorial. For more information or to sign up to help, contact Bold at wefish.washington@gmail.com or 360-581-5658.

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WEEKEND WITH THE FLEET

Saturday

Commercial Fishermen’s Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maritime Museum

Light Up the Docks and Lighting of the Lighthouse, 7:30 to 10 p.m. along Westhaven Drive

Fisherpoets, 7 p.m. at Knotty Pine Bar & Grill

Sunday

WEfish Clam Chowder Feed by Merino’s, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Maritime Museum

Coffee & cookies at the Fishermen’s Memorial, 12:30 p.m.

Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats, 1 p.m.

Monday

VFW Memorial Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, 11 a.m.

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OTHER MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES AROUND THE HARBOR

Aberdeen

Fern Hill Cemetery will host its annual Memorial Day observance Monday at 11 a.m. Pastor Dan Vines of Calvary Lutheran Church in Aberdeen will give the invocation, and Aberdeen High School student Trace Erwin will play the bugle.

Participating organizations include the local units of the Daughters of the American Revolution, VFW, American Legion, Elks, Eagles, Masons and Marine Corps League, along with Boy Scout Troop 5.

The public is welcome. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served.

Elma

VFW Post 1948 of Elma will hold a service at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, at the corner of Fairgrounds and Elma/McCleary roads.

Montesano

VFW Post 2455 will host a celebration Monday at 11 a.m. at Fleet Park, where local veterans David Ira Harner, Johnny A. Chambers and Timothy P. Davis will be honored for their service and sacrifice. Boy Scout Troop 4015 will be raising the flag.

Montesano lost Harner and Chambers in the Vietnam War 50 years ago. A black marble memorial will be erected next to the sandstone memorial that honors all veterans who gave their lives in service.

After the ceremony and dedication, a memorial sign will be dedicated at Pioneer and Academy to honor Davis, a Montesano man who died in 2009 in Afghanistan.

Ocean Shores

North Beach VFW Post 8956 will take point on North Beach Memorial Day festivities starting on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. with an outdoor flag-raising ceremony.

Inside the Convention Center at noon, they will perform a Fallen Soldier ceremony, where Purple Heart recipients will be honored and the names of fallen soldiers will be read.

Post Commander John Link said anyone who wishes to have a name read or is otherwise interested in participating should call the post and leave a message at 360-591-7595.

Around the Harbor

Boy Scout troops in Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Elma and elsewhere will be placing flags at various locations and performing color guard ceremonies this weekend. For details, check with your local troop or contact district leaders through www.pacificharbors.org/coastal-waters.