Shrimp and Petroleum Festival 2009

What a fun weekend we have had!

The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is one of the biggest festivals in our area. This morning we went to the Blessing of the Fleet. The Blessing of the Fleet is held by sprinkling Holy water onto the boats to help insure a safe return and a bountiful harvest of the shrimp boats.

This was a special year. Steph and pR were riding on a tugboat representing the oil industry :-) They were blessed and ran in the boat parade. It was fun seeing them on the boat and I am sure it was fun for them being on it:

It was awfully hot though - too hot to stand on the concrete wall go get a good view. However, we perservered and did it. I got a few pics of the boats all decorated for the boat parade:

And here are the Queen and King of the Festival toasting:

Steve and I came home planning to rest. However, Steph had other plans. She called and invited us to ride the tug with them for a bit. We went to the Teche River and met them. They pulled the tug right up to the dock and picked us up - what a blast!

Here they come :-)

And off we go!

I sat on the front of the tug and relaxed - literally. It was so nice to troll the bayous we have grown to love.

Just a fun photo :-) Steph saw it first, and I bet hers is better. I didn't bother getting up and facing them, I just leaned my head back and shot. Still think it is fun :-)

We have to park the tug boat WHERE?

Thanks Vicky and Chris! We had a wonderful time :-)

And the parades were not over - we still had the street parade to enjoy! Here is pR waiting for the loot sure to be thrown :-)

It has been a great weekend. I am glad we are home to enjoy the festival with our girls. Next week is coming too fast - but this weekend has been great.

We missed the fireworks - we were plumb tuckered out... lol...

Fair rides and BBQ tomorrow - wonder what we are grilling?

Happy Labor Day!