People on a boat wave to Msgr. Dominick Fullam and the Shrimp King and Queen as they receive a blessing during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023.
Hannah Ruhoff
Sun Herald
The sun was shining and the humidity was at a minimum as the shrimping season officially kicked off Sunday with the 94th annual Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi.
Forty-five pleasure boats and 13 working boats floated by to receive blessings from Rev. Dominick Fullam, the priest at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Biloxi, who gave the official blessings.
The Blessing of the Fleet — which this year coincided with Memorial Day Weekend — is one of Biloxi’s oldest traditions and honors both fishermen who have died but also brings blessings for a safe and bountiful shrimping season.
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Shrimp King Wally Gollot and Shrimp Queen Elizabeth Wetzel, who were crowned at the coronation held Saturday night, greeted fishermen and boaters alike as boats decorated with streamers and flags paraded behind My Sons, the official Blessing Boat owned by Charles Duhon.
Two boats, the Captain Justin and Gunsmoke, were honored for their decorations with Captain Justin receiving first place in the boat decorating contest and Gunsmoke receiving the second place award.
“Shrimp season is open. The blue economy is extremely important to the gulf coast,” said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who was briefly in attendance. “Literally we help feed not only Mississippi, but the world.”
Msgr. Dominick Fullam, pastor at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, leads the blessing with the Shrimp King and Queen during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
People on a boat wave to Msgr. Dominick Fullam and the Shrimp King and Queen as they receive a blessing during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
People on a boat wave to Msgr. Dominick Fullam and the Shrimp King and Queen as they receive a blessing during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Shrimp are eaten during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. The blessing of the fleet signifies the start of shrimping season. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Shrimp Queen Elizabeth Wetzel and mother sit on the edge of the Blessing Boat, My Sons, during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. The blessing of the fleet signified the start of shrimping season. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A helicopter from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department drops a wreath into the ocean during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves poses for a photo with a wreath that is dropped into the ocean during the Blessing of the Fleet at the Point Cadet Marina on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
People on a boat wave to Msgr. Dominick Fullam and the Shrimp King and Queen as they receive a blessing during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Shrimp King Wally Gollot and Msgr. Dominick Fullam, the pastor at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Family members of Shrimp King Wally Gollot sit on the edge of the Blessing Boat, My Sons, during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A boat decorated with flags during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Seasoned shrimp during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
People on a boat wave to Msgr. Dominick Fullam and the Shrimp King and Queen as they receive a blessing during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A boat decorated with flags during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Msgr. Dominick Fullam, the pastor of St. Michael’s church in Biloxi, gives a blessing over the food during the Blessing of the Fleet on the water in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Shrimp King Wally Gollot wears a shrimp crown during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. The blessing of the fleet signified the start of shrimping season. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
People prepare a boat during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Shrimp Queen Elizabeth Wetzel takes a selfie with her mother during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. The blessing of the fleet signified the start of shrimping season. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Shrimp King Wally Gollot, Msgr. Dominick Fullam, and Shrimp Queen Elizabeth Wetzel during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A man holds up a fish to be blessed during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Shrimp King Wally Gollot during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
People on a boat wave to Msgr. Dominick Fullam and the Shrimp King and Queen as they receive a blessing during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
People on the Blessing Boat wave to another boat as it pulls alongside to receive a blessing from Msgr. Dominick Fullam during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Vincent Bruhl drops anchor on his father-in-law’s boat, My Sons, during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Msgr. Dominick Fullam and the Shrimp King and Queen wave to a boat during the Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
