Gary and Linda Condon of Bird Key decorated their boat to contribute to the beauty of this year's Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet on Dec. 11.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Longboat Key
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A stroll around the water's edge near the site of the future Bird Key Yacht Club headquarters now includes some extra sparkle since boat owners decorated their vessels with holiday lights for the Dec. 11 Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Attendees walked around the dock after filling their mugs with hot chocolate to view the lights. After a bit of socializing, they joined the leadership of Bird Key Yacht Club at the dock's end for the blessing.
Commodore Tony Britt, Rear Commodore Lynne Pettigrew and Fleet Captain Bob Keagy welcomed the approximately 160 members and guests.
"On this special night, we welcome all our members, family and guests to our annual Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet ... one of BKYC's most cherished traditions and well-attended events," Britt said.
Laura Ross, First United Methodist Church Sarasota director of kids and youth minister, then offered the prayer.
"These traditions began in the 15th century along the Mediterranean by Catholic priests hoping for a bountiful season as the people of Italy, Spain and France relied heavily upon fishing," she explained.
She continued: "From the shrimping industry to the yacht community, boats have been blessed all around the United States, and it is a continuation of a great tradition, a time of gratitude and to ask for protection and favor on the high seas. Tonight, we continue that tradition at Bird Key Yacht Club."
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Bird Key Yacht Club Rear Commodore Lynne Pettigrew and Brian Moore make their way around the docks at the Dec. 11 Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Al "Mifflin" Lowe and Patti Lowe catch up with Kylah Pokorny at the hot chocolate station at the Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet on Dec. 11 at Bird Key.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Santa surfs onto the scene at the Bird Key Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Bird Key Yacht Club Fleet Captain Bob Keagy stands with his icicle-laden boat at the Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Les Gardi admires the Christmas tree at the end of the dock on Bird Key at the Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
A gingerbread man commandeers the vessel "Let Luce" at the Bird Key Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Buffy Perkins, Laura Travis, Becky Keagy and Sharon Kenworthy admire the sunset over the Sarasota skyline at the Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
John and Julia Flaherty
Photo by Dana Kampa
A moose was on the loose aboard the "Cheers 2 Y'all" vessel at the Dec. 11 Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet at Bird Key.
Photo by Dana Kampa
As evening set over Bird Key, the decorated boats at the Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet began to truly shine.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Cindy Swanson and Michael Kutner celebrated his birthday at the Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Tim Moore dressed to impress at the Bird Key Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Tony and Irene Britt
Photo by Dana Kampa
Bird Key Yacht Club Fleet Captain Bob Keagy introduces Laura Ross, First United Methodist Church Sarasota director of kids and youth minister, to offer the prayer at the Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Bob Keagy, Lynne Pettigrew, Laura Ross and Tony Britt
Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.
