A Swashbuckling Day In Barnegat

Thousands turned out for Barnegat's 18th-Annual Pirate's Day, a street festival that incorporates a pirate theme and offers food, music, vendors and above all, family fun.

The event was made possible through a joint sponsorship between the Barnegat Chamber of Commerce and the Barnegat Recreation Department.

Former president of the Chamber of Commerce, Jerry Thompson, has been involved with Pirate's Day for nine years now, and he notes that over the years the festival has received a growing statewide recognition. Barnegat Pirate's Day has been nominated for the Governer's Award for Tourism, and was featured in The Star Ledger's Top 20 Events Not to Miss, Thompson said.

"We started saying 'No' to vendors last week; we were out of space," Thompson said of the event's popularity among businesses and organizations that take part in the festival.

Bay Avenue closes down for the day, and the streets become lined shoulder to shoulder with tents selling everything from unique products such as beer can decorations to services such as pool treatments and banking.

This year, Barnegat Pirate's Day hosted 132 total vendors.

"We do things for the kids," Thompson said, noting that many tents had set up games or demonstrations that were kid friendly. The Barnegat K-9 Unit was present to give demonstrations, and face painters were on hand to help put the finishing touches on some of the kid's best pirate costumes.

"This is a nice community event that gets us out among the people we live with," said Tiffany Lindsey-Miller, who was attending the event for the fifth year with her husband, Jason. The Millers now have two children, Tegan and Matthew, who have attended the festival since they were born, and were happy to don their best pirate garb.

When asked about what attracts her family to Pirate Day, she quipped, "Pirates! C'mon, they're great!"

Everyone in attendence seemed to be in agreement with Lindsey-Miller. Many of the 10,000 to 12,000 who were present donned some form of pirate gear, everything from a simple bandana or eyepatch to professional looking attire that seemed a direct throwback to the 18th century.

Events such as Pirate's Day allow businesses that are mainly pirate-themed to come out and present their unique service or product. Valhallas Pirates, Pt. Pleasant Beach, were on hand throughout the event. They offered everything from authentic call-and-response music that would have been heard on pirate ships, to a live show that was part comedy and part action to entertain the crowd.

Also available were pirate-centric clothing and accessories, such as Captain Whitebeard's Wenchwear, which showcased t-shirts with witty pirate slogans and celebrated the pirate lifestyle. Capt. Whitebeard said that he had just been down in Maryland promoting his business at the Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Fest.

"It was a great success and we were fortunate to get through the weather," said Barnegat Mayor Jeff Melchiondo. Melchiondo claims that this year's festival was another huge success, and credits the popularity of pirates for helping to bring out the masses.

"Nationwide, pirates are becoming more attractive," said Melchiondo. "People think pirates aren't so friendly, but quite the contrary."

With the members of Valhallas Pirates walking the street between performances, smiling and taking photos with all the kids, Melchiondo seemed to stand corrected in his claim.

The day will wrap up at the Barnegat Municipal Dock, with a concert and fireworks beginning at 6:30 p.m.