HAMPTON, Va. - This weekend marks the 17th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival!
Named one of the 'Top Five Pirate Festivals in North America' by USA Today, the festival celebrates Hampton's rick maritime heritage by commemorating the demise of their most infamous visitor, Captain Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard the Pirate.
In the 18th century, Hampton was a bustling seaport. Its location and riches attracted quite a few pirates. The Blackbeard Festival serves to commemorate the true story of Blackbeard, born Edward Teach, a fearsome pirate who terrorized the high seas.
The festival takes place in Hampton, where Lt. Maynard, the man instructed to kill Blackbeard, handed over Blackbeard's head, flag, and treasure to Royal Governor Alexander Spotswood. The pirate's head was then put out on a stake in order to warn others what life had in store for them if they chose to become a pirate.
The Blackbeard Festival includes a re-enactment of Blackbeard's final sea battle.
This years festival is expected to have over 50,000 attendees who will be able to interact with Blackbeard and 100 other authentically costumed pirate re-enactors.
This years festival kicks off with the 17th annual Grand Pirates Ball at Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel at 7 p.m. on Friday. Saturday the festivities start at 10 a.m. and don't stop until 10 p.m. The final day of the festival is Sunday, starting at noon and ending at 6 p.m.
17th annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival Full Schedule:
Friday, June 3
Grand Pirates Ball
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.
Advance tickets can be purchased by phone at 757/727-6348
Saturday, June 4 – Sunday, June 5
Bunch of Grapes Tavern Schedule:
Saturday, June 4
10:00 a.m. Opening of Festival/Skit
11:30 a.m. Press Gang
12:30 p.m. Brigands
1:30 p.m. Motley Tones
2:30 p.m. Trial and Treasure
4:00 p.m. Motley Tones
5:00 p.m. Calico Jenny
6:00 p.m. Shadow Players
7:00 p.m. Brigands
8:00 p.m. Pub Sing
Sunday, June 5
12:00 p.m. Roving Blades
1:00 p.m. Brigands
2:00 p.m. Shadow Players
3:00 p.m. Motley Tones
4:00 p.m. Brigands
5:00 p.m. Shadow Players
Mermaid Cove Schedule:
Saturday, June 4
10:00 a.m. Captain Jack
10:30 a.m. C Shells
11:30 a.m. Pirate Fairies Storytime
12:00 p.m. Bellowing Buccaneers
12:45 p.m. Mermaid Meet & Greet
1:30 p.m. Captain Jack
2:00 p.m. C Shells
3:00 p.m. Bellowing Buccaneers
3:30 p.m. Mermaid Meet & Greet
4:00 p.m. Pirate Fairies Storytime
4:30 p.m. C Shells
5:30 p.m. Captain Jack
6:00 p.m. Pirate Fairies Storytime
Sunday, June 5
12:00 p.m. Captain Jack
12:30 p.m. Pirate Fairies Storytime
1:00 p.m. Bellowing Buccaneers
1:30 p.m. Mermaid Meet & Greet
2:00 p.m. Christoff/Stone
3:00 p.m. Captain Jack
3:30 p.m. Pirate Fairies Storytime
4:00 p.m. Bellowing Buccaneers
4:30 p.m. Mermaid Meet & Greet
5:00 p.m. Captain Jack
Picaroon Camp Schedule:
Saturday, June 4
10:00 a.m. Press Gang
10:30 a.m. Calico Jenny
11:00 a.m. Hysterically Correct Pirate Show
12:00 p.m. Jim Rockwell’s Sea Chanty Workshop
12:30 p.m. Colonial Dance Demonstrations
1:00 p.m. Picaroon School
1:30 p.m. Press Gang
2:00 p.m. Christoff/Stone
2:30 p.m. Jim Rockwell’s Sea Chanty Workshop
3:00 p.m. Colonial Dance Demonstrations
3:30 p.m. Hysterically Correct Pirate Show
4:00 p.m. Colonial Games
4:30 p.m. Jim Rockwell’s Sea Chanty Workshop
5:00 p.m. Press Gang
5:30 p.m. Picaroon School
6:00 p.m. Roving Blades
Sunday, June 5
12:00 p.m. Calico Jenny
1:00 p.m. Jim Rockwell’s Sea Chanty Workshop
1:30 p.m. Dance Demonstration
2:00 p.m. Roving Blades
2:30 p.m. Picaroon School
3:00 p.m. Press Gang
3:30 p.m. Dance Demonstrations
4:00 p.m. Christoff/Stone
4:30 p.m. Picaroon School
5:00 p.m. Pub Sing
Blackbeard Stage Schedule:
Saturday, June 4
10:00 a.m. Motley Tones
11:00 a.m. Roving Blades
12:00 p.m. Christoff/Stone
1:00 p.m. Calico Jenny
2:00 p.m. Roving Blades
3:00 p.m. Press Gang
4:00 p.m. Brigands
5:00 p.m. Christoff/Stone
Sunday, June 5
12:00 p.m. Motley Tones
1:00 p.m. Press Gang
2:00 p.m. Christoff/Stone
3:00 p.m. Jim Rockwell’s Sea Chanty Workshop
4:00 p.m. Calico Jenny
5:00 p.m. Roving Blades
The Blackbeard Pirate Festival is schedule as follows: 7 p.m. -11 p.m. on Friday, June 3 (Blackbeard Ball- Ticketed Event); 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 4; and Noon- 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 5.
