Pirate Fest organizers announce events
The fifth annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest is less than two weeks away. One of this island’s most exciting event of the year is set for Columbus Day Weekend, Oct. 8-10, on Old San Carlos Boulevard.
Limited space is still available for vendors to participate in the two-day Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest, which will be in full sail from 10 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Organizers also have several volunteer opportunities available.
For information about the 5th Annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest, please go online to www.FortMyersBeachPirateFest.com or call 727-322-5217.
Here are three events one can expect from this year’s festival:
– Pirates Ball
In conjunction with the fifth annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest, the Pirates Ball will take place at Nervous Nellies Ugly’s Waterfront Bar at 1131 First St., on Friday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 11p.m. This adult only adventure will feature DJ Calico Jack- Master of Ceremonies spinning sea shanties, Kraken Dark Spiced Rum tastings, drink specials and hors d’oeuvres compliments of Nervous Nellies. Guests can come as they arrrr or dress up as their favorite buccaneer, swashbuckler or fictional pirate character. An adults costume contest will take place at 10 p.m. Meet the pirate crews who will be entertaining the crowds over the weekend, and enjoy a pirate party like no other! Admission is $10.
– Pub crawl
The Tortuga Pub Crawl is a leisurely and ongoing adult adventure.
For a donation of only $25, ticket holders will receive a souvenir Leather Medallion Pub Crawl ticket which also doubles as a fine coaster or costume trinket, a minimum of six free alcoholic beverages from participating pubs, a schedule of extraordinary entertainment provided by participating venues including beer/liquor promotions and give-a-ways. More pubs are being added daily.
Patrons who visit all of the Participating pubs will receive an exclusive Tortuga Pub Crawl t-shirt, which is only available to ticket holders who complete the entire crawl.
No time constraints! Pub Crawlers can visit each pub at their own leisure in groups, couples or singly and enjoy the entertainment or grab a bite to eat, without missing out on the next stop!
Transportation: A water taxi and pedi-cabs will be available for transport from pub to pub. Don’t drink and drive!Call Coconut Cab at 765-6666 for a safe ride home!
Tortuga Pub Crawl hours areFriday, Oct. 8, beginning at 3 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 10, ending at 6 p.m. Pub Crawl tickets may be used beyond 6 p.m. on Sunday; however the exclusive Tortuga Pub Crawl t-shirt may not be available.
The confirmed pubs include Nervous Nellies; Ugly’s Waterside Bar; Smokin’ Oyster Brewery; Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise; Big Game Bar & Grill; Parrot Key; Mermaids Lounge and Liquor; Bonita Bill’s.
– Tattoo contest
During the fifth annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest, organizers will host the “Hoist the Colors and Show us Your Tats!” tattoo contest. The contest is sponsored by FMB Tattoo Studio, Ancient Art Tattoo Studio and Peter Tattoo Studio. Winning prizes include $100 gift certificates towards your next tattoo. Entry fee is $10. Both men and ladies are welcomed to participate. Preferred entries are of pirate or nautical nature. Contestants will be judged by local tattoo artists and by audience appreciation. (Tattoo artists will refrain from judging work performed by themselves or artists who work with or for them.)
Categories include: Best Pirate Theme, Best Nautical Theme, Most Colorful, Largest and Best Cover-up. (All submissions to the category of “Best Cover Up” must include a clear, publishable “before” photograph.)
Every body has a story. Contestants must complete the entry form and give a short description of tattoo, the artist who inked it and a little blurb about why, how or the story behind the tattoo.
The contest will take place at the “Matanzas Pirate Stage” on Old San Carlos Blvd. (Next to Smokin’ Oyster Brewery) on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 4 p.m.
For more information on “Hoist the ColorsAnd Show us Your Tats!” Tattoo Contest, please contact Krista at Ft. Myers Beach Tattoo at 1901 Estero Blvd, or call 463-7273.
The fifth annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest is produced by SIK Promotions, Inc and Pirates of The Treasure Coast. One hundred percent of the profits from this event will benefit The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club, a private 501c3 organization, who is dedicated to serving the needs of those less fortunate in the immediate community.
For more information contact: 727-322-5217 or 561-792-9260.
-submitted by Suzanne King