2023 Annual River Blessing

This is a free and public event where the community gathers with local River-keepers to share an appreciation for the waters of our local earth, and offers a quiet blessing in their own way. River-keepers will speak about their personal connection to the waters, then pass a bowl of river water around for all to touch it, held within the sound of a drummed heartbeat. Following the passing of the bowl, guests will walk to the bank and offer the water back into the river.

The River Blessing is an indigenous-inspired, nondenominational blessing of the St. Johns river in Northeast Florida. The annual blessing was started in 2008 by Basil Braveheart, a Lakota Elder.

This event is sponsored by Earth Kinship LLC, St. Johns County Parks & Rec, and the Stetson Kennedy Foundation.