Blessing of the Fleet brings Bird Key Yacht Club members together

The event lit up Sarasota Bay behind the Bird Key Yacht Club.

  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 8:46 p.m. December 8, 2019
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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A 59-year tradition continued at the Bird Key Yacht Club as members held their annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony and event on Saturday, Dec. 4.

The club has held the event since 1960, said communications manager Kristine Nickel. More than 220 members of the club attended the event, in which the Rev. Craig Collemer asked for a blessing of the fleet anchored behind the Bird Key Yacht Club. 

"This blessing is not just upon the boats, but all connected with the fleet," Collemer said. 

Members mingled around the club before the blessing and the lighting of the docks. Once the Christmas lights and decorations around the harbor sprang on, members strolled around to snap photos before heading inside for dinner. 

Al Neumann and Charlie Wilson.
Al Neumann and Charlie Wilson.
Dody Anderson and Kathy Neumann.
Dody Anderson and Kathy Neumann.
Bob Williams and Tami Walsh.
Bob Williams and Tami Walsh.
Jerry and Karel Beck.
Jerry and Karel Beck.
Linda and Bruce Heckenberg with Kim and Mike Wedge.
Linda and Bruce Heckenberg with Kim and Mike Wedge.
Christina Landry and Tamara Tazzia.
Christina Landry and Tamara Tazzia.
Andy and Sandy Barnes.
Andy and Sandy Barnes.
Commodore Curt Schantz with Vice Commodore Jim Chadwick, Rear Commodore Dave Thomas and Secretary Michael Baker.
Commodore Curt Schantz with Vice Commodore Jim Chadwick, Rear Commodore Dave Thomas and Secretary Michael Baker.
The Rev. Craig Collemer blesses the fleet with Vice Commodore Jim Chadwick in the background.
The Rev. Craig Collemer blesses the fleet with Vice Commodore Jim Chadwick in the background.
The Rev. Craig Collemer blesses the fleet with Vice Commodore Jim Chadwick in the background.
The Rev. Craig Collemer blesses the fleet with Vice Commodore Jim Chadwick in the background.
High schooler Keara Escobedo sings during the blessing ceremony.
High schooler Keara Escobedo sings during the blessing ceremony.
Commodore Curt Schantz, Vice Commodore Jim Chadwick, Fleet Captain Warren Vose, Rear Commodore Dave Thomas, secretary Mike Baker and Charlie Wilson.
Commodore Curt Schantz, Vice Commodore Jim Chadwick, Fleet Captain Warren Vose, Rear Commodore Dave Thomas, secretary Mike Baker and Charlie Wilson.
A flamingo adorned with lights graces one boat.
A flamingo adorned with lights graces one boat.
Jennifer and Keara Escobedo.
Jennifer and Keara Escobedo.
Members stopped for photos before heading inside for dinner.
Members stopped for photos before heading inside for dinner.
A snowman waves from one boat.
A snowman waves from one boat.
A triangular tree of lights rises from one boat.
A triangular tree of lights rises from one boat.
Tree boats next to each other vie for viewers' attention.
Tree boats next to each other vie for viewers' attention.
A lit-up Christmas tree atop one boat.
A lit-up Christmas tree atop one boat.
The lights flickered off Sarasota Bay.
The lights flickered off Sarasota Bay.
Members dine together to end the evening.
Members dine together to end the evening.

 

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