Rain Falls on Parade, but Boats Blessed & Fireworks Dazzle

By reason of the early weather, and the forecast of more heavy rain to follow, Sunday’s traditional Blessing of the Fleet procession through the streets of Fremantle was cancelled, to the great disappointment of many.

We understand this was only the second or third time the traditional procession has been cancelled.

While many assembled at St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle in readiness for the procession, the Madonna dei Martiri statue, which leads the procession through the streets of Freo to Fishing Boat Harbour and the Blessing ceremony, did not leave the Basilica.

Fortunately, the Blessing of the fishing boats ceremony went ahead, but without the crowds and although the boats did do their usual laps around the Fishing Boat Harbour they did so without the statues and usual crush of people on board?

This gallery of photographs, taken by Deanna Shanahan of the famous Instagram duo @flotsamandjetdam6162, gives you a feel for how expectant everyone was at the Basilica before the decision was made to cancel the procession.

Luckily, the fireworks scheduled for 8 pm last night were able to fire, and at least some of the lost pizzazz of the day was recovered when the night sky came alive with great bursts of colour and movement, as these super snaps, taken by Sharon Delmege, show.