October is the perfect month for masquerade and costumes, so as we get into the Halloween spirit, what could be better than dressing up as pirates a few weeks early? Come join the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Pollo Tropical grilled chicken restaurant for the eighth annual Pirate Fest at the foot of the Mantanzas Pass Bridge. The Pirate Fest takes place from Saturday, October 12, 2013, through Sunday, October 13, 2013, and includes a jam-packed schedule of live music and pirate-themed activities, mostly for free.
Saturday’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Saturday evening:
- Opening Cannon 10:00 a.m.
- Pirate Walk from the Fountain to Time Square 10:00 a.m.
- Asarte's Gypsy Cabaret - Cannon Stage 10:00 a.m.
- Blue Mermaids - in the Mermaid Tank next to Crow's Nest Stage sponsored by Lighthouse Inn and Suites Resort 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Thieves' Market - Old San Carlos Blvd. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Rascal Robert Pyrate Magyke - Thieves' Market 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Craic Show - Cannon Stage 10:45 a.m.
- Cap'n Jase N. Sparrows - Crows Nest Stage 10:45 a.m.
- Kid's Fishing Contest - waterfront between Nervous Nellies and Matanzas Inn - sponsored by Smokin' Oyster Brewery, Rudy's Treasure Chest, Hot Rods and
- Gavin's Ace Hardware 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Arrr, Inc. - Crow's Nest Stage 11:30 a.m.
- Asarte's Gypsy Cabaret - Cannon Stage 11:45 a.m.
- Children's Story Time - Crow's Nest Stage 12:15 p.m.
- Craic Show - Cannon Stage 12:30 p.m.
- Fort Myers Princess Sea Battle Viewing Cruise Departs (tickets $12.50) 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Gather for Sea Battle - waterfront at the end of Old San Carlos Blvd. 1:45 p.m.
- Sea Battle - Matanzas Harbor - sponsored by Torchlight Productions 2:00 p.m.
- Arrr, Inc. - Crow's Nest Stage 2:45 p.m.
- Asarte's Gypsy Cabaret - Cannon Stage 2:45 p.m.
- Cap'n Jase N. Sparrows – Crow’s Nest Stage 3:30 P.M.
- Brandon Matinelli - Cannon Stage - sponsored by Silver Sands Villas and Krusty Pete's 3:30 p.m.
- Arrr, Inc. - Crow's Nest Stage 4:15 p.m.
- Craic Show - Cannon Stage 4:15 p.m.
- Closing Cannon 5:00 p.m.
- Drum Circle - at the Fountain 5:15 p.m.
- Blue Mermaids - in the pool at The Lighthouse Inn and Suites Resort 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Pirate Ball - sponsored by Nervous Nellies featuring music by Celtic Stew (tickets $12 in advance $15 at door) 8:00 p.m.
- Pirate Costume Contest - sponsored by Nervous Nellies 9:00 p.m.
The fun starts up again at 10 a.m. on Sunday:
- Opening Cannon 10:00 a.m.
- Pirate's Walk from the Fountain to Time Square 10:00 a.m.
- Asarte's Gypsy Cabaret - Cannon Stage 10:00 a.m.
- Blue Mermaids - Mermaid Tank next to Crow's Nest Stage
- sponsored by the Lighthouse Inn and Suites Resort 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Thieves' Market 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Rascal Robert's Pyrate Magyke - Thieves' Market 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Cap'n Jase N. Sparrows - Crow's Nest Stage 10:45 a.m.
- Craic Show - Cannon Stage 10:45 a.m.
- Children's Fishing Tournament - waterfront between Nervous Nellies and Matanzas Inn - sponsored by Smokin' Pyster Brewery, Rudy's Treasure Chest, Hot Rods and
- Gavin's Ace Hardware 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Arrr, Inc - Crow's Nest Stage 11:30 a.m.
- Asarte's Gypsy Cabaret - Cannon Stage 11:45 a.m.
- Children's Story Time - Crow's Nest Stage 12:15 p.m.
- Craic Show - Cannon Stage 12:30 p.m.
- Gather for Sea Battle 1:45 p.m.
- Sea Battle - Matanzas Harbor - sponsored by Torchlight Productions 2:00 p.m.
- Arrr, Inc - Crow's Nest Stage 2:45 p.m.
- Asarte's Gypsy Cabaret - Cannon Stage 2:45 p.m.
- Cap'n Jase N. Sparrows - Crow's Nest Stage 3:30 p.m.
- Brandon Martinelli - Cannon Stage
- sponsored by Silver Sands Resort and Krusty Pete's 3:30 p.m.
- Arrr, Inc - Crow's Nest Stage 4:15 p.m.
- Craic Show - Cannon Stage 4:15 p.m.
- Closing Cannon 5:00 p.m.
- Closing Drum Circle - at the Fountain 5:00 p.m.
The activities take place around and under the west end of the bridge, so unless you are familiar with the Old San Carlos section of Fort Myers Beach, be sure to print off a map to help you find things. The entertainment is free, but there are a few events that have a modest cost. The following tickets can be purchased on line. Tickets purchased online may be picked up at The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce or at our mobile information center (“Roxie”).
The Pirate’s Ball - Oct 12th, 8:00pm at Nervous Nellies. Come in your best pirate or wench garb and sway in the moonlight with your best mate at Nervous Nellie’s. Join in on the party and make sure to come dressed to impress! The annual Pirate Costume Contest will be held on the stage at the ball. $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Sea Battle Viewing Cruise – 1:45 Saturday and Sunday. Get close to the action and watch the live Sea Battle from the observation deck on the Fort Myers Princess! A one hour long Sea Battle viewing cruise is offered at 1:45 both Saturday and Sunday afternoon to watch the sea battle at 2:00 pm. The Fort Myers Princess departs from 645 Old San Carlos Blvd on Fort Myers Beach, and is located under the “Sky” bridge. The boat is located behind Nervous Nellie’s at Snug Harbor Marina. All tickets $12.50.
You can also purchase Pub and Grub coupon books for food and drink discounts and freebies. The coupon book will contain free drink and food offers in the form of coupons from various restaurants and bars along Old San Carlos Blvd and all of Fort Myers Beach. Drink coupons will be good for at least one week starting October 6th. You can buy them on line as well, but hurry because the price goes up tomorrow. Free Drink and Food Offer Books are $15 in advance and $20 after Saturday, October 5th.
There is also something nice for the kids. It’s a fishing rod and reel giveaway for the first 25 kids accompanied by their parents at the Pirate Fest. The Kids’ Fishing Contest will be held both Saturday, October 12th and Sunday October 13th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The contest will be held at the Fort Myers Beach waterfront under the bridge between Matanzas Inn Restaurant and Nervous Nellie’s Crazy Waterfront Eatery. Kids are encouraged to bring their own poles but the first 25 who come on Saturday and without a pole will receive a free rod and reel.
Come on out and have some fun. You can always use the pirate costume a few weeks later. Don’t miss it or you’ll surely be sayin’ Arghhhhh!
