The fifth annual Meet the Fleet festival will be held at the Menemsha Docks on Thursday, August 1 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Fisherman’s Preservation Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the Island’s fishing fleets.

At the event on Thursday, people will have a chance to meet members of those fleets in person, putting a face to the fish that seems to magically appear in local fish markets each day. They will also have the chance to climb aboard some of the most historic fishing vessels on the Eastern seaboard, including the Coast Guard vessel and the 1946 wooden dragger, Roann.

There will also be net mending and sea scallop shucking competitions, music by Goodnight Louise, crab races, fish printing, a silent auction and touch tanks for kids.

The event is aimed at raising awareness for the Island’s commercial fishing industry. Funds are directed towards the Fishermen’s Preservation Trust permit bank, aiming to give young fishermen a foothold in the industry through subsidizing diverse permit leases for local fishermen at an affordable rate.

Meet the Fleet is a free event and all are welcome to come and support the local commercial fishing industry.