Avast Ye Maties! Pirate's Day Kicks Off Tomorrow

Barnegat's Annual Pirate's Day, a street festival that incorporates a pirate theme and offers food, music, vendors and above all, family fun, will kick off Sept. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is made possible through a joint sponsorship between the Barnegat Chamber of Commerce and the Barnegat Recreation Department. The township's streets along Route 9 and East Bay Avenue 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, and people donning festive pirate garments.

Of course, like most events involving pirates, the event has been met with some controversy, as some in town are concerned that the township committee recently voted against the fireworks that usually follow the event.

Former Mayor Bill Neyenhouse told Patch that he was "outraged" that the committee recently voted against the fireworks.

"Barnegat really is such a special town, it still has that small town atmosphere, and things like the fireworks make Barnegat special," Neyenhouse said. "When you start doing away with those things do away with that special place."

Although calls for comment from the Chamber and the Mayor were not immediately returned, Neyenhouse said the decision was made for financial reasons. Apparently the fireworks display would have cost about $12,000, and the town had only raised $4,000. He added he felt the fireworks display could have gone on this year, and been skipped next year if the shortfall could not have been overcome.

Regardless, however, Neyenhouse said he had little doubt the event would be an "outstanding event."

For more information, call the township's recreation department at 609-698-0080 x 122.