Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet

23/03/2026

High Tea Fundraiser!

Join The Fremantle Fishing Fleet Festival Association for a delightful High Tea Afternoon in support of the Cancer Council.

📅 Sunday 24th May 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM - 5:00PM
📍 17/45 Ladner Street, O’Connor

Enjoy a beautifully curated high tea experience filled with sweet and savoury delights, great company, and a meaningful cause. In addition the crowning of the 2026 Queen of the Fremantle Fishing Fleet Festival will take place as a special highlight, celebrating tradition.
🎟️ $65 per person
👉 Book via TryBooking or call Maria on 0412 528 485

Limited spots available — secure your ticket early!
https://www.trybooking.com/DKVEE

23/11/2025

Need to return a costume?

Thank you to all who took part in this year’s procession in honour of Our Lady. We are still missing some pieces. If you borrowed a costume or prop please get in touch to organise a time to drop it back so we can spruce them up and get them ready for next year’s big day. Your help ensures we can continue providing beautiful outfits for our young participants each year.
Grazie mille!

19/11/2025

Introducing the Annual Rob Lo Presti Best Dressed Boat Award

In honour of Roberto “Rob” Lo Presti, a beloved member of our fishing community and a proud supporter of the Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet, we are humbled to introduce a new annual tradition: The Rob Lo Presti Best Dressed Boat Award.

Rob grew up immersed in the Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet, proudly dressed as a young fisherman and celebrating the traditions carried forward by generations of the Lo Presti family. His memory, faith, and love for the sea continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him under the protection of Our Lady, Star of the Sea.

This year, we are honoured to announce that the inaugural winner of the Rob Lo Presti Best Dressed Boat Award is fishing vessel Jenna Rose!

Congratulations to skipper Larry Amato and family. May this award stand as a lasting reminder of Rob’s legacy and the deep ties that bind our fishing families and wider community together.

30/10/2025

29/10/2025

27/10/2025

27/10/2025

27/10/2025

Guistina (on my right) has been going to the Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet since she was a girl.

This year her husband is leading the parade and her grandson is helping carry the Madonna.

Maria Minutillo is on the organising committee, one of a host of volunteers who pull this beautiful event together each year. 🫶

Great to enjoy the festivities here in Freo! 🛥️

27/10/2025

25/10/2025

BIG DAY TOMORROW...

The 77th Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet will hopefully be graced by your presence, and some sunny weather too….

Order of proceedings…

9:30am – Solemn Mass (Italian) at St Patrick’s Basilica
10am–1pm – Back of Boat Lobster Sales from FV Neptune at the Cicerello’s Jetty end
11:30am–12:30pm – Rope Coiling Competition (Molfetta Quays Carpark, Fueling Jetty)
12pm – Little Italy by the Sea Festival begins at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour (near Bathers Beach & Cicerello’s)
2:00pm – Procession departs from the Basilica
3:30pm – Procession arrives at the Harbour, followed by the Blessing of the Boats
4:30pm – Procession continues to Fremantle Esplanade for Crackers & Daytime Fireworks
5:00pm – Benediction at St Patrick’s Basilica
7:00pm – Fireworks at Bathers Beach
Special for 2025 – Vintage Fishing Boats on display at the Cicerello’s Jetty all day!

Chicho Gelato are celebrating with a dedicated dessert collab, the Tartufo - available all week!

Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour are celebrating all things Italian with their "Little Italy By The Sea Festival"

And discover the inspiring journeys of numerous Italian women who made Western Australia their home in the "From Nonna With Love" exhibition at the WA Maritime Museum

25/10/2025

We cannot wait to be part of tomorrow's 77th Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet!

We hope you can join the celebrations, including:
⛪ Solemn High Mass in Italian from 9.30am.
⛪ The procession departing from the Basilica at 2pm.
⛪ Benediction at the Basilica from 5pm.