The 57th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Darien, Georgia, held over the weekend of April 11–13, 2025, was a vibrant celebration of local tradition, heritage, and coastal culture. Ashantilly Center was proud to participate with a booth in beautiful Vernon Square, where we connected with friends, old and new, and honored the legacy of William “Bill” Haynes, Jr.
Visitors to the Ashantilly booth could print a commemorative postcard using one of Bill Haynes’ original designs on an antique letterpress.
We’d also like to thank the Darien News for their thoughtful article highlighting Bill Haynes, Jr.’s woodblock carving and his connection to the origins of the Blessing of the Fleet celebration. Bill’s dedication to preserving the spirit of coastal Georgia continues to inspire us at Ashantilly Center, and we’re honored to share that story with others.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth—we look forward to seeing you again next year! Watch a short video here.
