New location, extended hours, ample parking, additional entertainment, cuisine – a winning combination

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (March 31, 2010) – New this year at the 23rd Annual Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival is a new location, ample free parking, extended hours, a new blessing of the fleet procession, additional entertainment, a day-long art show at the visitor center, and Sweetgrass baskets exhibit at the pavilion. Slated for Sunday, April 25, the festival will be moved to Memorial Waterfront Park, at the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge from 1 – 6 pm.

Mount Pleasant Mayor Billy Swails welcomes the move and looks forward to greater attendance this year. “The Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival ranked among the Top 20 events in April 2010, according to the Southeast Tourism Society. Its popularity has overwhelmed vehicle and pedestrian routes in the Old Village and has posed a serious challenge to public safety, thus prompting the need to relocate from Alhambra Hall to a our Memorial Waterfront Park,” he said.

“Our new park will provide an unmatched panoramic view of the fleet, a state-of-the-art playground, and sprawling lawns for our chefs, our crafters and our artist guild. Handicapped parking and handicapped access will be greatly enhanced and ample parking will accommodate the more than 12,000 people who attend the festival each year. This is a perfect fit. You’ll come for the spectacular views of our shrimping fleet and you’ll stay for our award-winning seafood, our shag dancing contest, and other exciting activities centering on our local maritime culture,” he added.

Unlike the restricted access to its previous location, the new location will offer ample free parking. Free shuttles will also run between 11:30 am and 6:30 pm from Royall Street (at Bank Street), Center Street (at the Duffy Complex), and Simmons Street (near the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market).

A procession, led by the Mount Pleasant Fire Department Honor Guard and two officiating ministers, will begin at 12:45 pm and proceed down the pier for the blessing of the fleet at 1 pm.

DJ Jim Bowers will open the entertainment schedule at 11:30 am, followed by Permanent Vacation at 1:45 pm and concluding with the East Coast Party Band from 3-6 pm.

The Mount Pleasant Artists Guild will be exhibiting at the Visitor Center’s Cooper River Room and Sweetgrass basket makers will be displaying their wares at the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion.

For more information about the 23rd Annual Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival, contact Su McManus-Frost at (843) 884-8517, or visit us online at www.townofmountpleasant.com.