The annual Darien Blessing of the Fleet will take place this week.
The event, which takes place Friday through Sunday, includes concerts, a classic car show, fireworks and a shrimp-boat parade and blessing.
Events kick off at 7 p.m. today with a community worship service being held at United Methodist Church, 201 Franklin St.
On Friday, the gates open at 5 p.m. and remain open until 10 p.m., as the vendors’ market will be available with a variety of arts and crafts, food and children’s activities.
The running of the Blessing of the Fleet 5K will take place Saturday. The race starts at 8 a.m. Registration is open until Friday at itsyourrace.com and costs $30 for the 5K or $12 for the 1 Mile Fun Run.
The vendors market is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Art in the Park opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and features art exhibits inside the Old Jail Art Center, judging of fine-arts entries from 10 a.m. to noon, a concert from the 3rd Infantry Division Jazz Combo at 1 p.m. and wine tasting from 2-5 p.m.
A street parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and runs along Highway 17 from the Darien Bridge to Highway 251. It will feature floats, local businesses and the winners of the Miss Blessing and Little Miss Blessing pageant, sponsored by the Darien Lions Club.
Also starting at 11 a.m., a classic car show will be held at the Darien Outlet Center.
Art in the Park continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
At noon, there will be a worship service and gospel singing on the waterfront stage. The Shrimp Boat Blessing Marine Parade gets underway at 2 p.m., and the ceremony draws to a close at 4 p.m. with the boat parade awards presentation.
For more information, go to www.blessingofthefleet.com.