Yes, there is an annual blessing of the fishing fleet in Seattle (as I suspect there is in most port cities where brave folks risk their lives upon the sea in order that we may enjoy the harvest of fish).

The blessing of the hounds became controversial in the Mother Country when a segment of the populace decided that such sport was evil, because they identified with the foxes, I guess. The present Prime Minister is of like mind and the whole glorious institution of foxes and hounds, pinks and cups, brasses and leather, is threatened with extinction ... which would be welcome by some (including foxes) and seen by others as a further sign that the end is near.