Ventnor will host its first-ever Pirate Festival from Wednesday 14th August to Saturday 17th August 2024, coinciding with Ventnor Carnival. The picturesque seaside town will be transformed into a haven for pirates young and old, and promises a treasure trove of activities and entertainment for visitors and locals alike. There will be a ‘Best Dressed Pirate’ competition, a seafront fireworks display, a treasure hunt, sea shanties and pirate songs, barrel rolling and a tug of war. Additionally, there will be live music from Derek Sandy and a Pirate and Lollipop Limbo contest on the beach. Pirates are also encouraged to join the main Ventnor Carnival procession on Wednesday (14th). All games and activities will take place along Ventnor Esplanade and on the beach on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Attendees can enjoy live music and refreshments at The Spyglass Inn for the duration of the event, with the festivities expected to continue late into the evening. Neil Gibbs, owner of The Spyglass Inn and one of the festival organisers, has said:
“We’re thrilled to bring this exciting new event to Ventnor. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together, have fun and celebrate our coastal heritage.”
The event will run alongside the annual Ventnor Carnival Week, with the ‘Grand Carnival & Fireworks’ taking place on Wednesday (14th) and the popular ‘Illuminated Carnival’ on Saturday night (17th). The festival benefits from having the support of Ventnor Town Council and carnival, in addition to involvement from Blakes Longshoreman and the Longshoreman’s Museum, The Spyglass Inn and many other Ventnor businesses and hostelries. For more details and updates, visit the Ventnor Pirate Festival Facebook page: Ventnor Pirate Festival.
Yarr Harr matey, I sure aint paying £900 for photoshop
Whatever happened to the Buccaneers, who used to have a float in all the Islands carnivals back in the ’70s?
As a nipper, I remember seeing a huge float where they would have pirates on the ‘boat’, with ores sticking out of the sides and buckets attached. Punters watching the carnival would then put coins into the buckets.
Does anyone remember what they were collecting money for, what charity?
No shortage of sharks on the island.
County Hall is an example.
Wightlink hiring again?
Ventnor rammed with pirates and sharks