Skirmishin’ Sea Shanties! Bay Walk soon to be plundered during seventh annual FMB Pirate Festival
Yarrrrrrgh! Get ready to be pillaged and plundered, as Fort Myers Beach shall be stricken with pirates all throughout Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 5, 6 and 7, during the seventh annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival.
Visitors from near and far will witness Old San Carlos Boulevard transform into a pirate’s haven! Guests are encouraged to garb up as their favorite buccaneer, swashbuckler or movie-themed pirate character and join the excitement while reliving a few golden days of piracy.
“The Pirate’s Ball will kick off the festival Friday night under a big tent at the corner of Old San Carlos Boulevard and 3rd Street,” said Suzanne King, head of S.I.K. Promotions, the producing company of the pirate event for the third year in a row, along with Pirates of the Treasure Coast. “It’s going to be a wonderful time, taking place from 7 to 11 p.m. that evening.”
Throughout the three-day event, visitors will take a trip to the island’s past, as hundreds of pirates, including professional actors and actresses, skuffle and shuffle throughout the Bay Walk community, with a “Yarrrrgh” here and an “Ayyyyye” there.
You’ll see spontaneous-yet-choreographed performances right tharrrr in the streets, bringing one of the most exciting events of the year to Fort Myers Beach.
There’s sure to be something for every member of the family — from the little pirate kids on up to the young-at-hearts.
Family-friendly activities will include a treasure hunt, costume contests, roving musicians, strolling street performers, stage shows, sea skirmishes and interactive games with pirates.
Adult-friendly activities will include a pirates gathering and costume contest Friday night, as well as a leisurely and ongoing weekend-long Tortuga Pub Crawl that’ll skirmish throughout the beach area.
“The Fort Myers Pirate Festival draws adventurers from near and far to enjoy the weekend’s activities, with historical re-enactments, period-correct encampments, black powder demonstrations, Sea Shanties and so much more,” Suzanne said. “Performers this year include The Bawdy Boys, Capt. Dan and The Scurvy Crew, For Love or Money, The West Coast Mutineers, Cutter’s Crew, Your Total Entertainment, live mermaids, Jugglers, balloon twisters, The Calendar Girls, Hot Flashz and more.”
The weekend-long event is free to attend, although a suggested donation of a “buck-n-ear” ($2) will help offset the cost of event production. Admission to Friday Night’s adults-only Pirate’s Ball is $10.
Hours to the seventh annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival are Friday, Oct 5, from noon to 5pm and 7 to 11 p.m. (Pirate’s Ball); Saturday, Oct 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The festival will take place all down Old San Carlos Boulevard, a.k.a. Bay Walk — at 400 Old San Carlos Blvd. The event is produced by SIK Promotions, Inc. and Pirates of the Treasure Coast.
Those interested in joining the group, to sponsor the event, or for additional information, contact Suzanne King, 727-322-5217, email fmbpiratefest@gmail.com or be sure to visit FortMyersBeachPirateFest.com — and find the group on Facebook by searching for “FMBPirateFest.”