It’s almost that time of year again when swash buckling buccaneers storm the island in the 30th annual Pirates Week festival.
The multi-faceted event is scheduled to run from 9 to 19 November and has become a popular mainstay on the yearly entertainment scene, growing to encompass a wide range of events.
Hailed as the Cayman Islands’ national festival, Pirates Week sees the islands transformed as pirates ‘capture’ Grand Cayman for three-weeks of open-air festivities and partying.
Pirates Week often pulls in some 36,000 visitors as tourists and visitors alike gather to witness events such as the pirates landing, fireworks display, heritage days and revel in the street dances and party atmosphere.
The festival usually takes place at the end of October, but following a string of inclement weather and rained out events over the past years, organisers have moved it to November in the hope of clearer skies.
Vibe 98.9FM will this year host the official Pirates Week kick-off party at The Wharf. The evening event will bring together an exciting medley of some of Cayman’s best musical acts alongside DJs from Vibe. The event will include a pirate’s invasion by boat, prizes and giveaways, costume competition and a fireworks display to round off the night.
District Heritage Days, have been designed to transport visitors back to the good old days and will highlight Cayman’s cultural and historical past with traditional food, local bands, native crafts and heritage presentations just some of the activities planned.
Entertainment will be giving a boost with the introduction of a second visiting act, instead of the usual one. Bands are confirmed as Trinidadian band Kes, an offshoot from Imij & Co, and soca diva Destra from Trinidad.
HISTORY OF PIRATES WEEK
Started by the then Executive Council Member for Tourism, Jim Bodden, in 1977, Pirates Week was originally created to help bolster tourism in what is traditionally a slow time of year. The festival has grown from a single pirate’s street party into a spectacular range of events.
Although pirates were long gone when Cayman’s ancestors settled, Pirates Week seeks to capture the excitement and adventure of the islands buccaneering past.
The only event of its kind in Cayman, Pirates Week has made a firm name for itself as one of the highlights of the Caribbean calendar.
In addition, it is an ideal time for tourists, residents and locals alike to learn more about this particular aspect of Cayman’s rich culture and historical past, thanks to pre-organised heritage days at sites of interest island wide.
PIRATES WEEK EVENT SCHEDULE
(Visit www.piratesweekfestival.com for full details)
9 Nov – 5.30pm to 9pm pre-Pirates Week happy hours at Breezes, 9pm pre-Pirates Week kick-off party at The Wharf.
10 Nov – 4.30pm Registration Pirates Week 5K run for 5pm start, 5.30pm to 7.30pm happy hour, Pirates Rock at Hard Rock Café, 6pm costume competition, 8pm fireworks, 8.30pm Songfest, 9.30pm to 2am street dance and food festival.
11 Nov – 8am 5k sea swim, 2pm pre-landing entertainment at Harbour Drive, 3pm landing pageant at Hog Sty Bay and float parade, 7pm to 12am, street dance and food festival, 7pm to 12 am, teen’s disco at Craft Market.
12 Nov – 12pm to 4pm, kid’s fun fair day, 1pm to 4pm underwater treasure hunt at Dive Tech, West Bay.
13 Nov – 9am to 2am Bodden Town Heritage Day.
14 Nov – 11am to 2am George Town Heritage Day (Elgin Avenue)
15 Nov – 12am to 2am East End Heritage Day
16 Nov – 12am to 12 pm West Bay Heritage Day, 5pm Turtle Release at Public Beach.
17 Nov – 11am to 2am North Side Heritage Day, 4pm to 8pm Mike Lockwood Memorial Swim Meet at Lions Pool.
18 Nov – 8am to 5pm Swim Meet, Lions Pool, 12am to 8pm Savannah/Newlands Heritage Day, 7.30pm trial of the pirates, 7.50pm fireworks, 8pm to 12am street dance finale, Harbour Drive, 8pm to 12am teen’s disco, Craft Market.
19 Nov – 7am Pirates Week 10K run, 8am swim meet, 1pm Darts Tournament, Corner Pocket.
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