Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival plunders the shore this weekend!
Avast all ye mateys! The fourth annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival is under way, plundering the area of Old San Carlos Boulevard all weekend, Oct. 10 and 11.
Pirate mates from near and far have anchored off the docks of the beach, sure to bring great fun for land-lubbers of all ages with plenty of games, dancing, tricks and trinkets from near and far, as well as a pub crawl, treasure hunt, pirate ball, costume contest, ship-to-shore battle and black power demonstration.
Presented by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, the festival will be equipped with two stages of live entertainment involving pirate crews, actors, storytellers and musicians from across the state of Florida.
The Shipwreck Motel is the flagship sponsor of the Pirate Festival. Captain sponsors include The Beach Bulletin; Beach Observer; Lani Kai Beach Resort; Lighthouse Resort; Yucatan Beach Stand; Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise; Sunstream Hotels and Resorts, and Suzuki of Fort Myers.
Ship-to-Shore battle
The pirate festival will kick off at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, with a pirate welcome party and ship-to-shore battle at the Lani Kai Resort.
During the battle, everyone has a chance to meet the lovable and jolly pirates, along with a ship-to-shore shoot-out and special pirate drinks and dishes, including pirate blood cocktail and more. The Lani Kai will have plenty of other food and drink specials, too.
At sunset, a pirate ship-to-shore shoot out will reign along the waters behind the resort, with live cannons, knives, swords and much, much more.
All are welcome to join in the fun. The cost for food and a drink is $5 for a hot dog or hamburger and a soda. The resort is also offering $2.50 wells and $2.50 drafts. The ship-to-shore shoot-out should take place at sunset, around 7 p.m.
Lighthouse Tiki pirate party
Saturday night, Oct. 10, from 4 to 8 p.m., the Lighthouse Tiki pirate will host a Pirate Tiki Party. Come and listen to the great sounds of the Yard Dogs, well-known around the beach for their unique rendition of “Florida Swamp Music.” Dress in your best Pirate garb and compete in the costume contest, with judging and awards at 8 p.m.
Avast ye pirate crews!
l ARRR Ink.: Acme Rogue and Ruffian Recruiters is based in the Tampa Bay area that focuses on recruiting children to become pirates.
l Pieces of Eight: These local plunderers are from the life-sized, 65-foot galleon of the same name that is owned and operated by Salty Sam’s Marina.
l The Holland Days Crew: This crew was founded at the first annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival and has done theater promotions for Pirates of the Caribbean II and III.
l The Skeleton Crew: Capt. Robert Flood’s gang include Ship Navigator Rachael McBride, First Mate Palastyne Foote and Helmsman Kathleen “Jingles” Scott.
– The Bone Island Buccaneers: These members have appeared on several national TV?and radio channels, and have a stage show consisting of singing, dialogue, live-steel swordplay, and live-fire black powder weapons.
– The Cay Sal Pyrates: These scallywags are mostly located in the Florida Keys and are a group of performers that reenact Pyrates from the “Golden Age of Pyracy in the Caribbean” around the 1700s.
– The Pirates of the Anne Gare: Led by Capt. Oarville, first mate Groggy and right-handed right-hand man Bildgewater, these marauders are considered by most as the deadliest stage show to sink in all seven seas.
– Pirates of the Sand: A crew of professional sand sculptors, also known as the Sand Lubbers. Their specialty is creating pirate-themed sand sculptures while dressed in authentic pirate clothing.
– Royal Chessman: Capt. Nigel Southwick’s crew includes Harpoon Abby, Becky Blackheart and Scottie O’Brien Smith (SOS).