PHIPPSBURG

Back by popular demand, the town of Phippsburg’s Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet will return this Sunday.

The event was recommended when the town was preparing to celebrate its 200th anniversary last year.

While the celebration has come and gone, many community members requested that the boat parade and blessing remain an annual affair.

“We had a lot of folks who asked to make it annual event,” said Town Administrator Mike Young.

With about 33 recreational and commercial boats participating in the event this year, Young said it would be a fun event for the community. He said the event drew about 60 to 70 people on Ridley’s Landing Dock alone, while others gathered to watch at Acre Lot Wharf, Anna’s Waters Edge and other locations last year.

Pastor Dan Coffin of Small Point Baptist Church in Phippsburg, who led last year’s blessing, said the popularity of the event lies in the fact that it draws the community together.

“It’s another aspect of knitting our community together. People enjoyed coming together and celebrating heritage,” he said. Coffin said he got involved after the 200th committee put out a search for local ministers to be a part of the event. He and other church leaders in the community will be leading the blessing once again this year.

Like last year, Coffin said boats will line up at the entrance of Sebasco Harbor, ready to pass spectators waiting on Ridley’s Landing Dock and other locations.

Coffin said he and other clergy members will be on the radio, communicating with the boats and offering a blessing for the overall fleet before making brief, uplifting remarks about each boat. He noted that the blessings are spontaneous and not scripted beforehand.

“It’s a fun time and a respectful time, but it’s lighthearted enough that people enjoy it,” Coffin added.

This is Coffin’s 26th year serving as the pastor at Small Point Baptist Church. After 14 years of military service, Coffin said he pursued a career in the ministry, a calling he said he knew he had since he graduated from high school.

Sunday’s event is sponsored by the Recreation Commission, and the American Legion in Phippsburg will also be providing hot dogs, chips and other refreshments for hungry spectators.

Parking will be available at the field at 54 Landing Road. In case of rain, parking will be at the Sebasco Nazarene Church at 583 Sebasco Road.

A shuttle will also be running to the dock from Landing Road every 15 minutes from 3-4:45 p.m. and then following the parade for an hour.

Boats will line up at 4:30 p.m. outside the southern entrance to the upper section of Sebasco Harbor and the parade will begin at 5 p.m.

dkim@timesrecord.com

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