Pyrate Fest to take over Put-in-Bay

Want to go?
WHAT: Pyrate Fest IV – The Revenge
WHEN: Friday, June 22 to Monday, June 25
WHERE: DeRivera Park at Put-in-Bay
COST: Free
INFO: 419-341-3524 

Pull out your eye patch, strap on your wooden leg and head over to Put-in-Bay for an event that will make you feel like Captain Jack Sparrow.
  For the fourth year in a row, pirates from all over the United States will be invading Put-in-Bay for the annual Pyrate Fest.
  “It is a celebration of pirates young and old,” said Ty Winchester, co-creator and organizer of the event. “Everyone wants to be a pirate, so for one weekend we are making everyone’s fantasies come true.” The invasion starts at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 22 at the Put-in-Bay Harbor in downtown Put-in-Bay, next to DeRivera Park.
  Visitors will witness local infantry firing upon invading pirates as they sail toward the island. With the goal of taking over the island for one weekend, you’ll see local militia trying to stop the invasion.
  “You will see people dressed up as pirates on boats, barges and basically anything that floats,” Winchester said. “It is a awesome thing to see. People come from Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and all kinds of other place just to participate in this event.”
  Once the pirates get to land, they will be looking for a map to find missing treasure that is on the island. Throughout this process you will see their leader Captain Mad Dog take prisoners and raise the skull and crossbones flag in DeRivera Park.
  As the invasion continues into the next day, visitors will awake to DeRivera Park being fully taken over by pirates. There will be a Pyrate Village in the park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as a variety of other activities guaranteed to bring out the buccaneer in anyone.
  The variety of events will be aimed at educating people on what life was like in the 18th century. Some of these events include a surgeon discussing medical procedures of the period, small sailing vessel lectures, games and playing pieces demonstrations, weapons demonstrations and magic tricks by the Faire Wynds Circus.

  “We will also be having a costume contest at 2 p.m. in DeRivera Park,” Winchester said. “The winner of the contest will win two roundtrip tickets to Grand Cayman Island in November. The Cayman Islands have the largest Pyrate Fest in the world, so one lucky winner will get to experience their pirate celebration, too.”
  The activities for Pyrate Fest will continue through the night with a Pyrates Ball at the Boathouse and fireworks ending the evening.
  The next day is dedicated to children and offers family friendly pirate activities for children of all ages. “Pyrate Fest is the third most popular weekend on the island and attracts thousands of people,” Winchester said. “If you are looking for a full day of entertainment for the whole family, then why not come to Put-in-Bay and experience what life was like in the 18th century?”
  For more information on the Pyrate Fest, visit www.pyratefest.co/.