A Tradition Since 1929

The countdown to the 83rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet and Shrimp Festival has begun!

Join us May 31st, June 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2012, as we celebrate this beloved Biloxi tradition.

 

What, when and where

The Blessing festivities are extensive, covering the Biloxi Gulf Coast from our beautiful Town Green to the magnificent St. Michael Catholic Church (the "Church of the Fishermen") on Point Cadet. 

Confused?  Don't worry, we've got you covered with our Schedule of Events (including maps to most of the events).

 

We've got some great sponsors!

Without our Sponsors, none of this would be possible.  Please visit and consider doing business with them.  They are all great folks!  The very heart and soul of Biloxi, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and beyond.

 

Would you like to know more?

• The information in About should clear things up.  If you are at all interested in Biloxi, the Blessing of the Fleet is "the" event to attend.
  
• And if that information whets your appetite, you may also want to peruse our Photos.  You'll meet the Kings and Queens, see the Bishop blessing the passing watercraft and marvel at the beautifully decorated boats on our Mississippi Sound.
  
• It doesn't get much better than this.  If you've never attended, this is the year to remedy that. 
  
  Come on down this May 31st, June 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2012.  We'd love to see you! 

 

Or even more?

Drop us a line at laurie@biloxiblessing.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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We welcome any comments or suggestions regarding the BiloxiBlessing website.  Contact us at admin@biloxiblessing.com

Thank you for visiting!

 

 

Awarded Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Spring Event 2010

 

2012 Biloxi Blessing News..

 

A Tribute to Biloxi
Posted May 17, 2012

Please watch our brief tribute to Biloxi and its people (available in the Academy)

Presented by August Taconi Photography.

 

Great Mississippi Seafood Cook Off
Posted May 12, 2012
Updated May 16, 2012

The Great Mississippi Seafood Cook Off, sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, is set for June 1, 2012 beginning at 4:30 PM and ending at 7:00 PM. The event. which will be held at the Slavonian Lodge (located at 159 Maple Street in Biloxi), will occur in conjunction with the Blessing Past Royalty Reception (beginning at 5:00 PM).

Where is the Slavonian Lodge?

The winning chef will "represent Mississippi in the Great American Seafood Cook Off".

More information is available here.

2012 Shrimp King Introduced
Posted May 3, 2012

The King of the 83rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet is Rudy Lesso.  Contestants for the 2012 Shrimp Queen Pageant were also introduced.

Rudy A. Lesso, Jr. is a Biloxi native and the 2012 King of the Biloxi Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet. Rudy serves with great honor.


Rudy is the president of R.A. Lesso Seafood Co., Inc., a shrimp processing plant on Biloxi’s Back Bay. He is a graduate of Biloxi High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a graduate of The Merrill Lynch School of Business in New York City. Before opening the seafood processing plant, Rudy worked at Shell Oil Company in New Orleans and Chevron Oil Company in Pascagoula and Miami. Rudy also worked as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch in Mobile.


Rudy has served on the Port Commission, a commissioner for the Department of Marine Resources and a member of the American Shrimp Processors Association. Rudy also is a proud member of the Slavic Benevolent Association and a member of Nativity BVM Catholic Church.


His hobbies include golf, fishing, following the University of Notre Dame and New Orleans Saints football teams. Rudy also enjoys attending the PGA Tournament events around the country. Rudy enjoys traveling especially to his beloved Croatia to visit family on the same island where his grandfather was born, which he has traveled numerous times.


Rudy’s grandfather arrived in Biloxi from the former Yugoslavia, now Croatia, in 1910. His entire family has been involved in the seafood industry from being boat captains, boat owners and operating R.A. Lesso Seafood Processing Plant. In the summers during high school he worked on his father’s boat or at Southern Shell Seafood Company. In 1978 he and his father opened R.A. Lesso Seafood Co., Inc. at the former Dorgan McPhillips Company on Biloxi’s Back Bay.


His grandparents are the late Sam and Jeanette Gabrich Lesso and John and Laura Rousseau Wilson. His parents are the late Rudolph Sr. and Melba Wilson Lesso, all of Biloxi. His immediate family includes his wife, Nancy Ingling, his son Rudy III and three grandchildren, Jarrod, Caitlyn and Ava Rose. He has two brothers Jerry and John Lesso.


It is with great pleasure that the the Blessing of the Fleet and St. Michael Catholic Church have asked Rudy to serve as King 2012. Rudy recalls fond memories of growing up in East Biloxi and attending St. Michael Church. He also remembers with pride and fondness all the Blessing of the Fleet events of his youth and states, “the Blessing has always been a spectacular event for the City of Biloxi”.

Congratulations Mr. Lesso!

2012 Poster Unveiled!
Posted May 3, 2012

The Biloxi Blessing of the Fleet Committee unveiled the 2012 official Blessing of the Fleet poster on Wednesday evening at the Biloxi Visitors Center.

The artist, Bill Harris, was present during the unveiling and signed posters during the event. Mayor A.J. Holloway addressed the audience and was presented with a poster by the Blessing Committee. Other dignitaries present were Windy Swetman, Supervisor, Harrison County and George Lawrence, Councilman. Present during the unveiling were 2011 King Victor Mavar and 2011 Queen Mallory Gilson.

Posters are currently for sale at the Biloxi Visitors Center, 580 Beach Blvd (just north of the Biloxi Lighthouse). Signed posters are $50.00 and unsigned are $25.00.

For a full view of the poster, click on the thumbnail above

 

Pan American Clipper
Posted April 10, 2012

The Biloxi Blessing of the Fleet Committee is proud to announce this year's Blessing Boat will be the Pan-American Clipper! This historic vessel is celebrating its 75th year and was built on Biloxi's Point Cadet! Thank you to the Skrmetta family for their sponsorship and support of the Biloxi Blessing of the Fleet! Congratulations on 75 wonderful years in service to the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

 Visit the Pan American Clipper

 

Poster Contest Deadline - March 30
Posted March 28, 2012

Don't forget, the deadline for the Blessing of the Fleet Poster Contest is Friday, March 30 at 4:00 PM.

 

Shrimp Queen Contestant Applications
Posted March 22, 2012

The deadline for Shrimp Queen Contestant applications is April 30, 2012.  All applications should be sent to P.O. Box 523, Biloxi, MS., 39533

 

Wednesday May 2: Blessing of the Fleet Poster Unveiling Reception
Posted March 22, 2012

At the Biloxi Visitor’s Center.

 

Older news can be found in the Archive