A new Shrimp Queen will soon rule at Blessing of the Fleet. Meet the candidates
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- Four local contestants will compete for the 2025 Shrimp Queen title in Biloxi.
- This year's festival debuts a Shrimp Princess event for younger participants.
- The Blessing of the Fleet celebrates Mississippi seafood heritage since 1929.
Four Coast contestants with deep ties to Mississippi’s seafood industry will compete for the 2025 Shrimp Queen crown this weekend in Biloxi, with the winner earning a spot aboard the coveted “Blessing Boat” during Sunday’s 89th annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony.
Madison Dang, Lillyana Baker, Alexis Ireland and Alley Kovacevich are all vying for the title — each representing their seafood heritage and love for the Coast.
This year, younger Coast contestants will have the chance to participate in a new Shrimp Princess pageant, with the winner selected by a random drawing.
Dating back to 1929, the Blessing of the Fleet marks the start of the shrimping season with a ceremonial blessing from a priest. After a wreath is laid in the Mississippi Sound to honor fishermen lost at sea, a vibrant procession of shrimp boats sails past the “Blessing Boat,” each receiving an individual blessing.
2025 Shrimp Queen
Blessing of the Fleet chairman Wendy Fayard said the Blessing of the Fleet honors the Coast’s seafood industry past.
“At one time, this was the seafood capital of the world,” Fayard said. “Now, there are no more seafood factories on the beach. That’s what we were all brought up and raised on .... and that’s why it’s so important for us to continue this.”
The four contestants created poster boards meant to inform viewers on their unique familial ties to the seafood industry.
“These girls actually did some research,” Fayard said. “It helps them to connect with their seafood heritage.”
According to Fayard, the Shrimp Queen coronation is not about beauty.
“It’s not a beauty pageant. It’s strictly for these girls to learn about their heritage,” Fayard said.
Past winners of the Shrimp Queen crown have represented the Blessing of the Fleet at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum Christmas Open House, Biloxi Shuckers games and Biloxi Mardi Gras parades.
Shrimp Queen contestants
Madison Dang: Madison is the daughter of Minh Dang and Brittany Nguyen. She is sponsored by F/V Sea Lion I and is a student at D’Iberville High School.
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Lillyana Baker: Lillyana is the daughter of David Michael Baker and Lana Johns. She is sponsored by F/V King Arthur and is a student at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
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Alexis Ireland: Alexis is the daughter of Justin and Christy Ireland. She is sponsored by Biloxi Freezing and Processing and is a student at Louisiana State University
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Alley Kovacevich: Alley is the daughter of Bobby and Rachelle Kovacevich. She is sponsored by Gulf Pride Enterprises and is a student at Louisiana State University
Shrimp Princess pageant
Fayard and the Blessing of the Fleet team is rolling out a new event this year — a Shrimp Princess Pageant.
Nine young contestants will enter their names in a drawing to be named the 2025 Blessing of the Fleet Shrimp Princess.
“Hopefully these little princesses will want to represent their seafood heritage when they get older,” Fayard said.
