Pirate's Day Barnegat Day Tomorrow

Merrymakin’ is on the horizon as Pirate’s Day brings free family fun to downtown Barnegat on Saturday, Sept. 7th.

East Bay Avenue becomes the swashbuckling center of pirate-themed activities by professional re-enactors, backed by a huge vendor and craft fair, live music on two stages, food and a farmers’ market, trolley tours, kids’ games, and more.

The event held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. is co-sponsored by the Barnegat Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Barnegat Township Recreation Department.

Parking is easy at the Barnegat Municipal Building and at St. Mary’s church, both on West Bay Avenue, where shuttle buses will run loops all day to and from the festival.

Opening Ceremonies at start the day off with a stirring patriotic tribute by singer Jim Kelley.

Costumed pirate troupes are crowd-pleasers as they take over the rear Pirates Cove stage and then roam the downtown. The swarthy Valhalla’s Pirates will be back with three half-hour shows, and Ye Pyrate Brotherhood lends its brand of lively theatrics. Del Merritt and the Sea Dogs bring “yo-ho-ho” merriment and song. New this year is the David Engel Pirate School, known as “America’s premier swashbuckling family vaudeville show.” The performance is from 1-2 p.m. onstage, and Engel also roves the festival in a one-of-a-kind pirate ship costume.

Meanwhile, the musicians scheduled on the main stage are: Jersey Surecats, 10 a.m.-noon; Chris Fritz, noon-2 p.m.; and the Stones Clones, a Rolling Stones tribute band, from 2-4 p.m. The evening concert at the public dock welcomes Tommy Edward as “Sir Rod,” rendering Rod Stewart favorites.