April 16 – Maritime Voices at Navy Memorial

The U.S. Navy Memorial hosts its annual “Blessing of the Fleets” each spring at the beautiful and majestic Memorial Plaza. Passed down through generations of sailors, fishermen, merchant mariners and navies around the world, this centuries-old ceremony is intended to safeguard fishing crews and ships from the danger of the seas through a traditional blessing given at the water’s edge. In this version of the ceremony, waters brought in from the world’s seven seas and Great Lakes are poured into and mingled with the waters of the fountains on the Plaza.

Join for the colorful ceremony with music by the U.S. Marine Band, followed by Navy Bean soup and an afternoon concert with the Marines’ Free County ensemble and the Maritime Voices.