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Ahoy, me hearties! The time is nigh for the most pirate-tastic event of the year! Don your best pirate garb and haul wind this August long weekend to the Pirate Festival, for a day of camaraderie and carousing with your wee lads and lasses—along with a full cast and crew of swashbuckling pirates.
It’s three whole days of pirate shenanigans for all ages in Guelph, with pirate plays, magicians, musicians, storytelling, and all manner of piratic revelry. Laugh at the antics of stunt-fighting pirates Smash, Bash, and Crabbe; catch the mermaid show; take a sword fighting lesson; and be amazed by the fire-eating Zoltan the Adequate.
Set your little rapscallions loose in the kids’ area with giant bouncy pirate ship, pirate games, archery, crafts, and Pirate Fairy Tales. But beware, they may learn a scurvy trick or two at the School for Pirates!
Be sure to bring a few doubloons for the pirate marketplace, where you can acquire hand-made treasures like an authentic captain’s hat, see blacksmithing demonstrations, and complete your pirate look at the face painting booth. After a long day of marauding, you’ll likely be snackish, too, and while you won’t find pirate delicacies like turtle soup or saltfish, landlubber fare like ice cream and burgers will be on hand.
Be there spirits, ye ask? Aye! The Thirsty Parrot Pub is the place for a bite, some grog, and some live music from the likes of all-pirate band Capt’n Tor & the Naer-Do-Well Cads Pirate Invasion—performing pirate tunes and sea shanties. And don’t miss the end-of-the-day Pub Sing-Along!
Children are welcome in the pub, but if you’re looking to get out without your pint-sized pirates, Kaptain’s Keg is an all-adult party on Saturday night (7 pm–midnight) with music and entertainment.
So, arrrr ye ready? Come out and show yer colours—ideally red, black, and stripes—at this year’s Pirate Festival!
The Pirate Festival takes place August 4–6, 2018, at Malden Park in Guelph. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and free for kids ages 5 and under.
