Bird Key Yacht Club lights their docks at annual event

It isn't the holiday season for Bird Key Yacht Club members until the cannon fires and twinkling lights illuminate its docks with holiday cheer.

Most members consider this 50-year-old tradition to be the highlight of their season and one of their favorite events of the club. 

Members, 175 strong, attended the club's annual Blessing of the Fleet on Dec. 14. This year's event hit a bit harder after the solemn time the area had during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. 

"It is great to see it so well attended after everything with the hurricanes," April Lane Chase said. "We look forward to it every year because of the whole culture around boating and holiday lights are just festive. We also love to see our boats celebrate all holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza."

The annual ceremony started with Fleet Captain Bob Keagy sharing the history of the event, which began among the fishing community on Florida's Gulf Coast after World War II. 

The Rev. Brett DeHart from the First United Methodist Church in Sarasota then blessed the fleet to have safe travels as they go into this 2024-2025 season. 

The ceremony finished with the firing of the cannon and the lighting of the boats. Local trumpet player Kevin Celebi serenaded the crowd with festive music as they walked the docks and viewed the holiday lights.