Page 20. MAINE COASTAL NEWS August 2011 UPCOMING EASTPORT PIRATE FESTIVAL 2011 Continued from Page 5. a pirate. Organizers have improved the event
each year. Last year they introduced the first International (Pirate) Lobster Boat Race the last day of the festival. The race is open to fishermen from both the USA and Canada with a grand prize lottery that every entry has a shot at just by entering. There will also be a cash prize for “Fastest Boat in the World” that will be decided in the grand finale USA vs. Canada Race. On hand last year to charge up the excitement was Galen Alley of Jonesport and his Lobster Boat that holds the speed record at 72.8 mph. Galen has been invited back this year and will be challenging other boats in a special exhibition race. Mem- bers of the Maine Marine Trades Industry have donated numerous prizes for this day of events and winners. Lobster Boat Racing started in the early 1900s in Jonesport and there are now 10 sanctioned races in as many towns along the Coast. Lobster boat racing is big on the coast of Maine with all of the races drawing thousands of spectators by land and sea with the same enthusiasm that you find at NASCAR events. The Eastport Pirate Festi- val Lobster Boat Race will not be sanctioned as part of the Maine circuit this year, but could be in the future.
“A day at the lobster boat races on the Coast of Maine is a pure adrenalin rush for the contestants and those cheering them on,” says Pirate Festival founder John Miller. “Whether you’re drawn to the races as a serious competitor, or just to watch from the shore and cheer on your favorite Fisherman... this is a pure and uniquely Maine and The Maritimes event that you will never see any- where else in the rest of the world. A day at the Pirate Lobster Boat Races will kick your Maine or New Brunswick Blood into high gear ... even if you’re from Oklahoma.” The Eastport Pirate Festival kicks into
high gear on Friday afternoon, September 9th on the island city’s historic waterfront and maintains pure pirate energy for three full days in this way Downeast Seaport. Real Pirates sailed the waters around this historic island that was once captured and occupied by the British during the War of 1812. History on the island that is home to Eastport is thick as mud. Just off its shores is President Franklin Roosevelt’s beloved home at Campobello. The little shops on Water Street are the same places Eleanor Roosevelt shopped for groceries and shoes for her children and asked the proprietors’ to “send the bill to the White House.” The family of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow still operates the nation’s oldest ship’s chan- dlery on the waterfront where real pirates most likely bought provisions. It is on these waters where French explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed, four centuries ago, and the summering Roosevelt’s sailed three centu- ries later. The first European settlement on St. Croix Island that predates Jamestown, Vir- ginia is a short boat ride up the river. The noble Passamaquoddy People have called this area home for as many as 20,000 years. The word’s most famous mustard (Raye’s) is produced here and it is not uncommon to see the faces of America’s most famous celebri- ties and politicians quietly blending in with the locals.
Every year the Pirates of the Dark Rose, a professional Pirate performance group brings the Pirate Theme to life in the streets of this historic seaport. From stage perfor- mances, cutlass and canon demonstrations to the firing of black powder with lots of boom-boom these incredible performers are in full character all weekend to keep you entertained and in the mood. The downtown performance stage at Bank Square will be alive non-stop all three days with live music and performances that will provide visitors with lots of free entertainment. It is time once
again to get your Pirate on at the Eastport Pirate Festival 2011.
Saturday morning September 10th is geared towards Pirate Kids with a Bloodthirsty’s Tavern Kid’s Buffet Break- fast at the Blue Iris Restaurant ( $4.50 for kids) kicking off the day. There will be a Pirate Kid’s Schooner ride on the local Tall ship (tickets are $15.00 reservations 853-2500), Kids and Youth Pirate Pageant, Kids games and an evening performance at the Arts center. The Thieves Market with great bargains will be offered all weekend at participating “Pirate Friendly” merchants. The streets will also have a great variety of food, crafts and treasure vendors. The local restaurants, bars and other businesses will have Pirate themed specials and events all weekend long. The Eastport Pirate Bed Race will once again be recruiting teams. Rules and registra- tion forms can be found on the Pirate Festival Website. Last year bed race teams from both the USA and Canada competed. This fast paced event always attracts thousand of spectators. The Pirate Parade is open to ev- eryone with a pirate themed entry and the Pirates Ball at the Chowder House on Friday evening is truly the social event of the season on Passamaquoddy Bay with hundreds of people in full costume. The crowning of the King and Queen of the Pirates happens at the Pirates Ball. Saturday evening offers up at least a dozen pirate themed events at all of the restaurants, pubs, bars and eateries around the tiny city of Eastport.
“After six short years the word is out throughout all of Christendom that the Eastport Pirate Festival is the place to be the second weekend in September here on planet earth,” says Festival Chairman Ross Furman. “I was in Florida this winter and people there were talking about coming to Eastport for the Pirate Festival. They were planning on com- ing for the Pirate Invasion of Lubec and Salmon Sunday the week before (Labor Day
Weekend) and staying all week for the Pirate Festival. If you are going to be on Planet Earth between September 3rd and 11th - Eastport and Lubec are the top spots to be.” Once again organizers will be asking the Ferry Service that connects New Brunswick and Maine from Deer Island Point to Eastport to continue running for the Pirate Festival September 9-11 and for the Invasion of Lubec to Campobello from Deer Island on Septem- ber 3 - a great way for our relatives, neighbors and friends from New Brunswick to partici- pate. For those coming by car, not to worry, a causeway was built in the last century for easy driving access to this incredible island paradise. For those that want to fly-in, the Eastport Airport can handle all planes and most jets with jet-fuel fuel service. People coming by private boat will find full marina service at the Eastport Chowder House com- plete with laundry, showers, docking, gaso- line, food, grog and a lobster pound with easy access to the local market.
“Not only is this event attended by thou- sands of people of all ages, it also enjoys the support of several dozen dedicated volun- teers that work year round and over 200 businesses and individuals from as far away as Florida and England that contribute gen- erously making it possible for over 90% of the events to be free for everyone,” says orga- nizer and treasurer Christopher Wadsworth Brown. “We are already accepting vendor applications for food, novelty concessions, crafts and adventure offerings which were a big draw to last year’s festival participants.” For information/applications, Lobster Boat Race info, Bed Race info, The Invasion of Lubec Schedule or for complete informa- tion and schedule of events of the 2011 Eastport Pirate Festival visit their Website at
www.eastportpiratefestival.com call Chris Brown at 207-853-4343 or John Miller at 1-800- 691-8182.
HELP - SATURN'S Engine Room Next Big Project!
This is SATURN'S main engine, which is a Cleveland 16-278A.
SATURN is a 117-foot railroad tug built as the BERN for the Reading Railroad in 1907. She is one of the last railroad tugs in existence and is being saved for future generations to enjoy. For further information : (207) 223-8846 or to join the Friends of SATURN, send a check for $25 or more to P.O. Box 710, Winterport, ME 04496.
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