Historic Palmyra’s Pirates of the Erie Canal invade the Village of Palmyra, New York during the ninth annual Palmyra Pirate Weekend, August 12-13, 2016, bearing a boatload of family-friendly fun for all ages. Bed racing, 5K, Pirate Kazoo Band Parade, children’s treasure hunt, canal trail tours, pony rides, climbing wall, and Historic Palmyra pirate tales and museum tours are just a few of the exciting events featured in this year’s celebration of Palmyra’s canal connection.
The Pillage ‘N the Village Bed Race Regatta returns, streaking straight through the heart of the historic Main Street business district. New for 2016, you don’t need to build a racing bed; we’ve got a fleet all made and ready to roll. Just bring your five-person pirate crew and compete head-to-head against other speedy scallywags and scoundrels for a cash prize and other awards. Pirates of all rank–the ranker, the better--are welcome to enlist, with local service, community organizations, and businesses expected to round out the racing field. Race applications, information, and complete racing bed specifications are available online now at www.eriecanalpirates.com.
The Grand Pirate Kazoo Band and Parade also returns to the streets at 11am, immediately preceding all of the bed race action. An official engraved Pirates of the Erie Canal Kazoo with lanyard, available for purchase on Friday, August 12, during the annual Palmyra Pirate Weekend kick-off event, a free outdoor screening of the modern classic pirate adventure The Goonies, is your ticket to join the fun. Bed racers will be pressed into parade service as they are escorted--and serenaded—up Main Street towards the Pillage ‘N the Village starting line near the Village Park.
This year’s Grand Parade will be lead by Fleet Admirals Bonnie and Steve Hays, both US Navy veterans and leaders of Historic Palmyra.
The Jolly Roger 5K run/jog/walk returns for another great year with a certified 5K Erie Canal course. This event raises funds for Pal-Mac High School’s award winning Select Choir, who engage in a demanding concert schedule, including a recent performance tour of Greece, and an encore performance at Carnegie Hall during the upcoming school year.
Other highlights of Palmyra Pirate Weekend 2016 include:
* Movie in the Park – The Goonies (1985, PG), Friday, Aug. 12, at dusk in the Palmyra Village Park. The film is presented FREE of charge, but film-goers are asked to make a small donation of a non-perishable food item for the Palmyra Food Pantry. Collection bins and volunteers will be in attendance to accept your donations.
* Palmyra Pirates’ Shopping Bazaar in the Palmyra Village Park
* Music by: The Southern North Boys
* Pirate Puppy Parade and Captain Kid’s Games, featuring stories, pirate games, activities, and booty for all
* Wine and cider tasting by Mayer’s Lake Ontario Winery
* Historic Palmyra museum tours, Pirate’s Cove, and pirate tales with Bloody Mary
* Treasure Trail Canal Walk
* National Guard Climbing Wall
* Festival Food, featuring the Palmyra Fire Auxiliary Chicken BBQ
* Fortune Telling
* And much, much more!
About Palmyra Pirate Weekend. Palmyra Pirate Weekend is a family-friendly, experiential festival intended to showcase Palmyra, New York, the Queen of Canal Towns. The visit of the Lois McClure to the Port of Palmyra Marina in August, 2007 was the first wind in the sails for Palmyra Pirate Weekend, yet this grassroots event has grown by the hard work of some creative and talented people who have long recognized Palmyra as the perfect place to live, work, and play.
Please visit http://www.eriecanalpirates.com for more information and hi-res, print-ready photos.
