The Weymouth BID are constantly looking to encourage visitors into Weymouth and one of the ways to do this successfully is by hosting great events in the town. This Easter the Weymouth BID will be hosting a Pirate Weekend on 3rd until 6th April.
Weymouth BID has joined forces with the Weymouth Garrison and Nothe Fort to promote a weekend of Family Pirate Fun. The weekend will bring together local re-enactment groups for the 3rd Weymouth Pirate Festival, led by the Dorset Buccaneers. The Festival is planned to be the biggest and best yet and raises much needed funding for the restoration and upkeep of Weymouth’s Old Town Hall, which, has had its own fair share of Pirate experiences in times gone by.
The internationally renowned Celtic Pirate Band ‘The Dolmen’ start the celebrations on Friday evening at The Golden Lion and follow up with a second performance at the Wyke Smugglers on Saturday. There’s more music on Sunday evening from ‘The Captain’s Beard’, Pirate folk band, who will also performing around the town’s streets over the weekend.
Daytimes will see Pirates and Redcoats meandering the town, which will inevitably lead to, street fighting, skirmishes, and probably some poor souls being press ganged.
Nigel Reed, Weymouth BID Manager said ‘Scallywags Saturday’ on the 4th April is marked by the launch of the BID’s FREE to enter ‘Scallywags Pirate Trail’ for children, which will run until Sunday 12th April. The perfect activity for any young wannabe Pirates, clues will lead them on a hunt around the town to find hidden posters of the Scallywag Gang characters. Complete the trail by locating the Scallywags treasure chest, then return your trail form to the Weymouth BID office and you could be in with a chance of winning a prize. Trail forms will be available to download on Saturday 4th from www.weareweymouth.co.uk or can be collected from the Weymouth BID office at 15 St Alban Street from 10am.”
The fun continues on Saturday, replacing the more traditional Easter Bonnet, with a ‘Scallywags’ best Pirate hat competition. So, get creative and see if you can impress Captain Jax Parrow to win a prize. Judging starts at 2pm prompt alongside the perfect backdrop of Weymouth’s very own tall ship, the Pelican, fancy dress is mandatory, but it’s the hats that will be judged.
Following this at 2.30pm, it’s rumoured that the biggest Pirate vs Redcoat battle will take place on the beach near Weymouth Pavilion, a stand-off, in which, the Pirate children may be called upon to assist! Be warned, black powder weaponry and cannons will fill the beach with the smell of gunpowder, an entertaining conflict not to be missed.
Wessex FM will be on hand to narrate the day’s activities and the town’s shops, restaurants and pubs will be joining in the spirit of the day by dressing up too.
Sunday 5th is Pirate & Princess day at Nothe Fort. Again, this is an event for all the family with many activities going on throughout the day to entertain the children. There will be a fancy dress competition, a talent competition, a bouncy castle, face painting, live music and singing, a children’s craft workshop, plus battles, cannon firing and lots more.
All in all, it’s stacking up to be a Pirate weekend to remember in Weymouth, so, make sure your there and that you look, talk and act like a Pirate!
For the latest information and updates please visit: www.weareweymouth.co.uk,
Facebook: weareweymouthuk. Twitter: @weareweymouthuk
All enquiries to the Weymouth BID office 01305 779410.
