By Martine Wolfe-Miller, Communications Officer

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (April 24, 2012) – The much awaited 25th Annual Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival Presented by East Cooper Medical Center is coming back to Memorial Waterfront Park on Sunday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We are excited to host the 25th anniversary at our beautiful Memorial Waterfront Park again this year,” said Nicole Harvey, town special event planner. “This marks a special milestone in the history of the shrimping industry in Mount Pleasant. The Shrimping season has begun early this year and we urge our residents and visitors to visit the docks and businesses on Shem Creek for the latest catch of the day and for wild-caught shrimp. Their taste is far superior!”

Blessing of the Fleet activities will include local seafood from some of East Cooper’s favorite restaurants, live music by East Coast Party Band and Southwood, shag and shrimp eating contests, a juried craft show, an art display by the Mount Pleasant Artists Guild, Sweetgrass basket displays and children’s activities.

The festival will begin at 11:30 am with music by Southwood. Caroline Rhett will perform the national anthem on the main stage accompanied with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department. Mayor Billy Swails will welcome the public at 12:35 p.m.

Beginning at 12:45 p.m., Father Len Williams of the Charleston Port and Seafarers, and Pastor Greg Surratt of Seacoast Church will lead the procession of dignitaries down the pier. The blessing and parade of boats will begin at 1 p.m.

Southwood will play again from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Lowcountry favorite East Coast Party Band will play from 3 to 6 p.m. The Shrimp Eating contest and the Shag contest will begin respectively at 4:20 and 4:30 p.m. The festival will conclude at 6 p.m.

The Blessing of the Fleet is sponsored and supported by the Town of Mount Pleasant Office of Community Development & Tourism, the Accommodations Tax Committee, and the Blessing of the Fleet Committee. Admission and onsite parking are FREE. For more information about the 25th Annual Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival, contact Nicole Harvey at (843) 884-8517, or visit us online at www.tompsc.com.