Chart your course to beautiful Ocracoke Island for the 4th Annual Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree and a weekend of swashbuckling fun October 28–30. Help us celebrate our unique piratical heritage!
This year’s Jamboree will welcome new performers Captain Jim the magic pirate, the European Medieval Arts of Arms crew, the Cannon Crew, and Colonial Seaport Foundation. Returning performers include bands of roving pirates, the Motley Tones, The King’s Rangers militia, NC Historian of the Year (2015) Kevin Duffus, and the sword fighting Shadow Players
Step back in time with a visit to the Jamboree’s historically accurate pirate encampment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29th, on the grounds of the historic Berkley Manor. Dressed in authentic costumes from the 17th and early 18th centuries, pirate crews will engage the audience with storytelling, sea chanteys, navigation, medicine, blacksmithing, and demonstrations of pike drills and vintage black-powder weapons.
Little pirates are invited to beg for treats at the All Hallows’ Eve celebration at the encampment from 4–6 p.m. on Saturday.
Other Jamboree events include history talks and performances in historic Community Square, a “Brigands Bazaar” featuring pirate-themed wares for sale, and a Beer Garden, sponsored by The Ocracoke Youth Center across from Community Square.
The main event will be the re-enactment of “The Battle at Ocracoke,” taking place at 2 p.m. Saturday on the island’s beautiful harbor, Silver Lake. Three sailing ships will re-create the last hours of Blackbeard and his crew as Lt. Robert Maynard brings them to battle with cannons blazing. The Battle features Sinbad and the Meka II, the historic skipjack the Ada Mae, the Shadow Players, the Beaufort Oars in their sloop The Ranger, and our new Blackbeard, Clay Raines. Tune into Ocracoke’s community radio station at wovv.org for a live broadcast.
The Jamboree kicks off Friday with a “Meet the Pirates!” evening of fun. Enjoy a “To Tell the Truth”-inspired piratical game show, followed by Captain Jim’s Pirate Magic at Ocracoke Community Center starting at 7 p.m. Admission is $5; refreshments will be available for purchase.
Sunday, Oct. 30, will conclude with the pirate march at 10 a.m. to Springer’s Point for a ceremony commemorating the fall of Blackbeard Nov. 22, 1718. Join the pirates for lunch afterward at Ocracoke Oyster Company!
Other island events include the Ocracoke School Halloween Carnival on Friday afternoon, Bawdy Ballads (for mature audiences) with the Motley Tones on Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Ocracoke Bar and Grille, Shadow Players and Capt. Jim’s Pirate Magic Saturday evening at Ocracoke Oyster Company, and Halloween costume parties at Gaffer’s Sports Pub and Howard’s Pub on Saturday night.
Pirate Jamboree is an annual event, held the last weekend in October, leading to the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s demise in 2018. It is sponsored by Ocracoke Civic and Business Association.
Public parking is available at the NPS Visitors lot at the south end of the island, 4352 Irvin Garrish Highway.
For more information, contact 252-928-6711 or email info@ocracokevillage.com
A complete schedule of events is available at www.ocracokevillage.com. Like us on Facebook for more updates: @ Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree on Ocracoke Island.