See Parking Closures, Info For Blessing Of The Fleet Road Race In Narragansett

NARRAGANSETT, RI — The Blessing of the Fleet Road Race is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, and in preparation for the race, Narragansett police will be closing certain roads and lots for parking

From 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of Kingstown Road from Caswell Street to Memorial Square will be closed to parking, police said. Narragansett Public Works will place temporary no parking signs and barriers starting at 4 am. Police said they will enforce the parking order until the conclusion of the road race.

Police also said Memorial Square, Beach Street, Mathewson Street, and Kingstown Road from Memorial Square to Boon Street will be closed to traffic beginning at 2 p.m. until the end of the race. Seek alternative routes.

Detail officers will be posted along the race route to assist with detouring traffic. The following roads will be affected:

• South Pier Road from Avice Street to Ocean Road
• Ocean Road from South Pier Road to Knowlesway
• Knowlesway from Ocean Road to Point Judith.
• Northbound breakdown lane on Point Judith Road
• Old Point Judith Road, Kinney Avenue, and Gibson Avenue
• South Pier from Gibson to Avice Street
• Avice Street
• Eastbound breakdown lane on Kingstown Road from Avice Street to Narragansett Avenue
• Kingstown Road from Narragansett Avenue (Taylor’s Garage) to Memorial Square.

First held by the Narragansett Lions Club in 1972, the Blessing of the Fleet has grown into a multi-day celebration that includes a road race, a festive parade of boats, food, live music, and people usually flocking by the thousands.

This event features a parade of decorated commercial and recreational boats. A local clergyman blesses each vessel as they pass, as the spectators along the breach way wave and cheer them on.

Annually, this free event allows the public to learn more about the Port of Galilee, the fishing industry, and the fleet who call the port home.

For more information and a complete listing of Blessing of the Fleet events, please visit the Narragansett Lion Club's website.

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