Historic Ashtabula Harbor invites the community to participate by land (at the public dock area) or by sea (on the river) in a non-denominational service that continues a centuries-old tradition of offering blessings for a safe and bountiful year to all who travel its waters.
This historic event has been held in Ashtabula Harbor for 77 years. Originating in the 1930s as an informal blessing of local sailors—led by a priest from Mother of Sorrows Church before the start of the Great Lakes shipping season—the tradition formally expanded in 1949 to include the Blessing of the Boats.