Pirates of all kinds will invade Ocracoke for a full weekend of events Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 during the Third Annual Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree.
Ocracoke has authentic Blackbeard history as the brigand was slain here Nov. 22, 1718, off Springer’s Point.
The centerpiece of the Jamboree is a historically accurate pirate encampment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, by Blackbeard’s Pirate Crew–an 18-member living history organization from Hampton, Va., on the grounds of the historic Berkley Manor.
Dressed in historical costumes from the 17th and early 18th centuries, pirates will engage the audience with storytelling, sea chanteys, navigation, medicine, and more.
Visitors will see demonstrations of pike drills and vintage black-powder weapons. Activities at the encampment and in the historic Community Square will include bands of roving pirates, a “Scallywag School” for kids, a “Brigands’ Bazaar” featuring pirate-themed wares for sale, and swordplay performances.
Two beer gardens will offer Heavy Seas grog—one located across from Community Square and one at SmacNally’s on the Anchorage Marina dock.
Community Square will host sword fights, the Jamboree information booth, official T-shirts and souvenir hot-and-cold tumblers.
The main event will be the re-enactment of “The Battle at Ocracoke,” at 1 p.m. Saturday on Silver Lake harbor.
Three ships will re-create the last hours of Blackbeard and his crew as Lt. Robert Maynard brings them to battle with cannons blazing.
Among the many events on Saturday will be historical talks about Blackbeard activities for kids along with time for them to trick-or-treat along Lighthouse Road
Among the professional pirate crews attending will be Sinbad in his Meka II, the historic skipjack the Ada Mae, the Shadow Players, the Beaufort Oars in their sloop The Ranger, the Motley Tones minstrels, and Chris Suttle as Blackbeard.
The Shadow Players will amaze fest-goers with their stage combat demonstration at 11 a.m. in Community Square and again 5 p.m. on the lawn of the Ocracoke Oyster Company. Following that, the Bawdy Beer Garden with the Motley Tones will conclude the day’s events that at 6 p.m. inside the Oyster Co.
The Jamboree kicks off Friday at Ocracoke Community Center at 7 p.m. with a “Meet the Pirates” evening of facts and fun.
There, historian Kevin Duffus will give updates on his pirate research. The “Pirates Follies” will compete for the biggest laughs and the Motley Tones will sing seafaring and piratical songs. Admission is $5; refreshments will be available.
Sunday, Nov. 1, will conclude the weekend with the pirate march at 10 a.m. to Springer’s Point for a ceremony commemorating Blackbeard’s downfall. Join the pirates for lunch afterward at Howard’s Pub.
All visitors are encouraged to get in touch with their inner pirate and wear their best pirate gear.
This is an annual event, held the last weekend in October and will build to the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s demise in 2018.
Public parking is available at the NPS Visitors lot at the south end of the island, 4352 Irvin Garrish Highway.
For more information, contact 252-928-6711, or email info@ocracokevillage.com
A complete schedule of events is available at http://www.ocracokevillage.com and Facebook at Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree on Ocracoke Island.
