On Sunday, 29 September Sydneysiders joined local fishers to partake in the centuries-old tradition of the Blessing of the Fleet, featuring the procession of the Madonna - a replica statue of the Santa Maria Di Porto Salvo, the guardian of Safe Ports or Safe Harbour.
Close to 21,000 people visited ÎÛµ¼º½¸£ÀûÍøÖ· on the day to enjoy the seafood and festivities. Leading the procession was Paul Bagnato, a local fisherman who hails from Calabria, Italy, who has been involved in Blessing of the Fleet festivities for nearly 25 years, including ten years at ÎÛµ¼º½¸£ÀûÍøÖ·.
Other activities on the day included crowd favourite, the spaghetti-eating challenge, face painting, along with live entertainment played throughout the wharf and boardwalk.