by Rebecca Hannant
Withernsea’s festival season gets under way this weekend with the return of the popular Pirate Festival – ahead of Withstock and Blue Light Weekend in the coming weeks.
On Saturday, July 19, organisers Lin and Will Wilson will host the second annual Withernsea Pirate Festival following the huge success of its relaunch last year.
Held in Valley Gardens, the event will feature a packed day of live music, stalls, family fun and pirate-themed dressing up. It kicks off at 11.15am with a pirate parade setting off from Castle Café, followed by photo opportunities at Pier Towers.
Entertainment begins on the main stage at noon, with pirate-themed singers, groups and a poet. There will be fun and games for children from noon to 4pm, led by the town’s own Jack Sparrow, who will also be crowning the pirate king or queen.
From 6.30pm, live music takes over with Withernsea youth band Elevation opening the evening set, followed by Jobs a Gud Un, Rolling Stones tribute band Sticky Fingers and headliners Barefaced.
Other highlights include sea shanty singers, a fancy dress competition, magician, martial arts demonstration, selfie station, fossil hunt, licensed bar, children’s entertainment, motorcycle display and more. Storey’s funfair will also be on the prom.
The event has been supported by local businesses and organisations including Withernsea Town Council, Shores, the library, Wizards by the Sea, local performers, and food and drink establishments that have donated raffle prizes. Additional funding has come from a number of private benefactors.
Organiser Lin Wilson said the festival was about more than just entertainment – it is also a way of supporting local businesses and the wider community.
She said: “Due to the cost-of-living crisis we believe that holding free community events are a great way of bringing people together to celebrate with family, friends and neighbours. For the attendees we trust that the day will be filled with fun, laughter, singing and dancing.
“The benefits to the contributors are of course a sense of local community and in the case of many participants social interaction and the mental health benefits that achieves.
“Additionally, we hope that the festival will bring in much-needed commerce to the local area by attracting tourists and holidaymakers from local caravan and camping sites.
“To that end we have made a conscious decision to only have one hot food stall on site as we want to encourage visitors to frequent local establishments.
“Similarly, our ‘food and drink raffle’ offers tasty treats such as a free hot butty, a free meal, a free draft pint or free bowling with a pizza etc. By offering these prizes we hope to encourage tourists and residents alike to visit local businesses.”
Volunteers are still being sought to help on the day. To find out more, visit withernseapirates.co.uk or the Withernsea Pirate Festival Facebook page.