Pirate Fest preys upon BayWalk and beyond
Watch out for your valuables this weekend when many freebooters come ashore to pillage and plunder!
The fifth annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest is just days away from invasion. One of this island’s most exciting events of the year is set for Columbus Day Weekend, Oct. 8-10, on Old San Carlos Boulevard. Pirate Fest kicks off in the evening on Friday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 11 p.m., and continues the next day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year’s Pirate Fest will feature internationally renowned pirate acts such as Celtic Mayhem, Captain Dan & the Scurvy Crew, For Love or Money and famed pirate music disc jockey Bilgemunky of Bilgemunkyradio.com.
While attending the BayWalk group event, festival goers will experience live mermaids, a fire show, a pirate wedding, strolling minstrels, musical bands, street performers and countless local pirate entertainers such as East Coast Privateers, Pirates of the Dark Rose, The Royal Chessmen, Cay Sal Pyrates, The Crew of Harbinger, Bohemian Fire, Merbellas, Yellow Beard, Cutter’s Crew, The Skeleton Pirate, The Calendar Girls, The Yard Dogs, No Way Jose and High Tide. Expect a special guest appearance from Quarter Master Pickering, a radio personality and pirate voiceover artist, who will be on hand for photos and autographs.
According to Suzanne King of SIK Promotions, you best keep a weathered eye out for this scallywag. He will melt for the children, charm the ladies and strike fear into the heart of any man that does him wrong.
“The Beach Pirate Fest will draw adventurers from near and far to experience a few golden days of piracy as Old San Carlos Boulevard is transformed into the pirate’s haven, better known as Tortuga,” said King, the event promoter. “Visitors to this event will enjoy historical re-enactments at the pirate encampments, black powder demonstrations, sea shanties and pirate songs. There will be great food and drink at participating bars and restaurants, and a bountiful array of street vendors selling all kinds of good things, from simple snacks to the most interesting pirate booty this side of the Caribbean.”
This event is not only for the fearless, but for the young at heart and the whole family. One can enjoy family-friendly activities like the treasure hunt, costume contests, stage shows, interactive pirate games and ship-to-shore battles with live cannon fire featuring the pirates ships Black Pearl and Pieces of Eight.
Adult-oriented activities include pirate parties at different locations each night of the event as well as the Pirate’s Ball on Friday night; the “Hoist the Colors and Show us Your Tats” Tattoo Contest, where pirates and patrons can show off their colors, on Saturday; and the Tortuga Pub Crawl, a leisurely and ongoing weekend-long barhopping adventure that will take participants to all of the best stops in Estero Island’s beach town community.
Guests are encouraged to dress the part of their favorite buccaneer, swashbuckler or fictional pirate character or dare to come as they ARRRR. Get ready to walk amongst rogues and wenches and learn what it is like to be living in piracy.
All profits (100 percent) 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.
The fifth annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest is produced by SIK Promotions, Pirates of the Treasure Coast and sponsored in part by local businesses of Fort Myers Beach.
For information regarding the 5th Annual Fort Myers Beach Pirate Fest, including sponsorship, pub crawl or vending opportunities, visit www.FortMyersBeachPirateFest.com or contact: Suzanne King, fmbpiratefest@gmail.com 727-322-5217 or Kathryn Gilbert,
piratefestinfo@aol.com 561-792-9260.
Check out the Beach Observer’s special insert in this issue about the Pirate Fest this weekend!
— Suzanne King contributed to this advance