What to Expect

My Dearest Lucy,

As this is your first time attending a festival of this nature, it is only natural to have questions! I shall attempt to answer as many as I can. In truth, these are questions I am asked all the time!

Just what does one DO at a festival like this? This answer is as varied as the fish in the sea. There is generally something for everyone – the first thing I suggest is prepare to have fun! From the moment you enter the gates, you will find amusements of a piratical nature. There are bands singing songs and playing live music – some original, and some of them old favourites – if it has a pirate feel, you may hear it throughout the day. There are entertainers on stages performing shows – from magic to jugglers, dancing and more. There is a marketplace full of vendors selling things you won’t find in a mall – perfect for unique gifts or to add to your wardrobe. Throughout the village, you will find characters in costume adding to the experience, and trying to draw you in. There is food to sample, drink to enjoy, and the general ambiance of a day away from your “normal”. On top of that – there is people watching galore, be sure to bring your camera for shots you won’t find anywhere else!

Who is the festival for? 

The Pirate Festival is designed to appeal to people of all ages.

For Kids – we have a kid’s stage that includes stories and songs, and lovable characters to interact with. There is a Free Kid’s Treasure Hunt that involves solving riddles and writing down answers – participants can then dig for treasure as a prize. There is a pirate ship that kids can board, games and other activities that kids are sure to have fun with. We have a kid friendly menu available as well – with familiar food like hamburgers and hotdogs.

For Teens – There are games of skill and chance that any teen will enjoy – when is the last time they had a chance to shoot an arrow at a target? From the Mud Show to Zoltan the Adequate, there is humour that will appeal to every age. There is Live Music available for most of the day. There are opportunities to interact with actors and performers, a chance to get outside, and try something different, to watch adults – perhaps even their parents, “playing along”. When was the last time your teen had a chance to stretch their imagination?  “If you want your children to be brilliant, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more brilliant, read them more fairy tales.” –Albert Einstein Piratical fashion statements are encouraged and admired. Teens can find lots of fun with parents or with friends – The Pirate Photo Scavenger Hunt is a great activity to help focus attention, if needed!

For Adults – All of the above, plus the Thirsty Parrot Tavern! The Captain’s Keg – Saturday Night ONLY is a party for Pirates of legal drinking age with activities and humour that you’ll appreciate not having to explain!

For "what to wear", check this out: "What to wear to Piratefest"

For more details about this year's Pirate Festival, check out: The Pirate Festival Website

What other Questions do you have? 

Affectionately, 

Anthea

2013 Pirate Festival!

My dear Lucy,

My apologies for not having written for so long – you must believe it has nothing to do with the fact that you were unable to attend our festival last year. I will continue to write in hopes that you can attend this year. This year’s festival is scheduled for August 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th – three days of fun in a village full of pirates! Do please re read the letters I sent you last year, and I shall take the opportunity over then next few months to acquaint you with all that occurred at last year’s festival, and share plans for this year!

        First, I hope you will allow me to share something of a more personal nature – I almost succeeded in “trading up”! Of course, being such a secluded village, we practice barter as a means to get what we want, (you will remember the cookie incident I told you of),  and at last year’s festival I actually managed to trade Mr. Sparsgood for a dreamy man called “Matt”. This was done at the behest of his wife – who actually suggested the trade, and did not back out when I pointed out Mr. Sparsgood, so I marched across the field and introduced myself to my new husband “Matt”. Though it was a surprise to him, he was amiable, and had a delicious accent to boot, and I spent the rest of the day waving at him, and ensuring that his children would remain with his wife. We even had a portrait taken together! Alas, by the end of the day, his original wife absconded with “Matt”, and I was left bereft. If you see him in your travels, do be sure to remind him of me!

        Of course, you are likely wondering how all this came about – in truth, I was more than a little upset with Mr. Sparsgood, and spent much of the day trying to rid myself of him. You see, I had my sights set on a man of more impressive … wealth… qualities, and Mr. Sparsgood had gotten to be quite underfoot. I am a little ashamed to admit that trading him away was likely the least aggressive method I attempted. I discovered that the man has the most astonishing luck when it comes to self preservation. Whatever I tried, my plans were foiled. Potions, poisons, blades and more – none had the desired effect! All day, I asked for help in ridding myself of him, but at the end of the day, I was still stuck with Mr. Sparsgood!  I have resigned myself to the fact that unless his luck changes, and he suffers some accident, for the time being, my marriage to a non pirate will remain in effect.

        I shall write about less personal matters in my next few letters, for I still have much to tell you of all that occurred, and what you can expect this coming year! For the time being, you may find out more details at our website which has an all new look!  www.thepiratefestival.com

Affectionately,

Anthea

Recent History

My Dearest Lucy,

In preparation of your anticipated visit at this year’s pirate festival (August 3, 4, 5, 2013 – Country Heritage Park, in Milton), I have promised to fill you in on some of the more pertinent details of what occurred at last year’s festival. It was certainly a day of discoveries! Although our village is small – compared to London where you live – with Pirates in the mix, one can never be sure of what will happen! For example – Mr. Sparsgood, with an ally in Frederick, demanded a voice on the Women’s Council! Had I been thinking quickly, I would have advised him that he needed to dress the part – but the village council is so full of business, that I admit it was not until later that I thought of this idea! I did manage to have his voice stand for only half a vote, however, so we should be able to maintain control of the council!

You will also recall that last year I spoke of a giant treasure – there was a sign on it that proclaimed it was Blackbeard’s treasure, but it turned out that it was actually the Major General’s treasure – which he subsequentially lost to the pirates – as could be expected in a village full of them! No one seems quite willing to guess what happened to it all since then – but some of the pirates and villagers seem to have disappeared at around the same time – suspicious to say the least! I shall continue to investigate, and inform you of any findings!

It also came to light that the Major General’s daughters were not actually his – I wondered where they had all come from – the girls are actually daughters of Blackbeard – Edward Teach by name – and they were quite surprised to find that out. Ever since finding out that pirating is in their blood, they have been difficult to deal with – young girls are always full of spunk, but girls brought up as ladies only to have such a revelation of pirate heritage are infinitely worse, I assure you! The Major General certainly has his hands full, as he remains their caretaker as a “favour” to Blackbeard.

A final, and more personal affront occurred at the Village Council – Katy – the herbalist, decided that she should be elected as the mayor of Dry Bluffs – a position that I had been hoping to attain. I am sure that she bribed her way to the position, but cannot come up with any proof! I still maintain that I am more suited to the job, having experience as the chair of the women’s council – but alas, she has been duly elected! She is quite proud of her position, and takes every opportunity to rub it in my face – an act which I cannot ignore for much longer! I must endeavour to find a way to put her back in her place! Your suggestions for this, and other problems I speak of are quite welcome! 

        Looking forward to seeing you!

Affectionately,

Anthea