Mount Ida — Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa, a local resort and spa of more than 65 years, will observe the annual Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony this coming Saturday, May 23 off Marina Point. Each year, this ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. as Joplin Volunteer Fire Department’s fire boat fleet escorts vessels through receiving a maritime blessing of “fair winds and following seas.”
Reverend Russell Hull will be presiding. All boats are welcome. To participate, simply have your boat in the water by 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and begin lining up to pass by the Joplin fleet. A blessing will be handed to your boat via fishing net. Any donations from the day will go to the Joplin Methodist Church.
Mountain Harbor chooses this as its annual blessing as a welcome and beginning to a safe boating season on Lake Ouachita to all of the guests, friends, and family who frequent the lake from May until September.
Mountain Harbor looks forward to having you take part in this time-honored tradition. Come lunch with them at the Harbor Lodge Restaurant afterward for To-Go, Curbside, or On-site Delivery, or visit the Marina Subway for To-Go, as well. Visit www.mountainharborresort.com or call (870) 867-2191 for more information about Mountain Harbor special events (don’t miss the upcoming Fourth of July celebration), as well as lodging, restaurant, marina, and spa offerings.