by Sam Hawcroft
Withernsea is preparing to be invaded by cutlass-waving buccaneers as its Pirate Festival returns for a third year.
The free event will bring a noisy parade, children’s games, live music, fancy dress, a fossil hunt and family entertainment to the town before ending with an evening of bands in Valley Gardens.
It takes place on Saturday, July 18, from 11.15am to 10pm, beginning with a pirate parade from Castle Café in Pier Road.
Visitors are encouraged to wear their finest pirate outfits and bring whistles, drums or anything else capable of making a suitably fearsome racket.
Will Wilson, one of the organisers, said the response to last year’s procession had been far greater than expected, with about 120 people taking part and dozens more arriving later.
He said: “The response to the pirate parade last year was massive – way more than we thought – so we’ve changed our itinerary a bit to cope with that.”
Bandanarama, familiar to many from their appearances at Withernsea Carnival and Blue Light Weekend, will provide the music for the parade, which will arrive in Valley Gardens ready for the main programme to begin at noon.
Jack Scallywag will then lead an hour of children’s games around the arena and stage, including the crowning of the festival’s pirate king or queen.
Fancy dress judging will take place from 1pm, followed by a fossil hunt at 1.30pm, beginning with a show-and-tell session before participants head to the beach.
The children’s zone will be open from noon to 4pm with crafts, games and a House of Curiosity created by organisers Mandy and Gary. Young buccaneers will be able to dress up, try the stocks and explore a selection of pirate props.
The festival stall will feature a tombola with more than 100 prizes as well as a competition to name the pirate teddy.
Music on the main stage begins at 2pm with the original Withernsea Pirates, followed at 3pm by the Bard of Withernsea, Richard Harries. The Auckland Shanty Singers, who have become regular supporters of the festival, will perform from 3.45pm.
A martial arts demonstration will take place in the arena at 3.15pm, alongside a motorbike display at Castle Café.
The raffle draw will be held from 5pm, with prizes donated by businesses across the town including meals, breakfasts, pizzas, drinks, chips and ice cream.
Will said: “People are always very generous. Our thinking is that if somebody wins a voucher for a free pint or a bag of chips, they are likely to go in and spend more money in the town as well.”
The evening programme begins at 6pm with rock band Fireball, followed at 7.30pm by the Kaya Party Band, who will perform a selection of well-known singalong favourites.
Rolling Stones tribute Stikky Fingers will close the festival from 9pm. The band had been due to headline last year before heavy rain brought the outdoor evening entertainment to an early end.
Will said: “All the bands were brilliant and refused to take their money. Stikky Fingers actually said, ‘No, pay us next year – we really want to do it!’”
The pirating will begin the previous evening with a Salty Seadog Social at the Alexandra Hotel in Queen Street from 8pm on Friday, July 17.
The gathering will give local pirates and visitors the chance to meet over “a glass or three of grog”, with a quiz and sing-song also planned.