Step into History at the Tuckerton Seaport’s Privateers & Pirates Festival

Ahoy there you Lubbers! We’re sticking with the Jersey Shore theme this week and today I’m featuring a fantastic family event that is happening at the Tuckerton Seaport in historic Tuckerton, New Jersey next weekend.  If you’re looking for a swashbuckling good time, head to the 4th Annual Privateers and Pirates Festival on Saturday, June 7th when a band of rowdy rogues led by Captain Black take over the Seaport with their pirate antics.

Before I had my girls I spent several years teaching middle school social studies and the discipline remains a passion of mine.  I try to take advantage of every  opportunity to visit a destination that is rich in history and storytelling and the Tuckerton Seaport is exactly that kind of place.  The Jersey Shore hosts thousands of vacationers each summer along its beautiful beaches and lively boardwalks. While the sand and surf are great reasons to visit, travelers shouldn’t overlook the fact that the Jersey Shore has a compelling history and there are plenty of spots where this is being celebrated.  The Tuckerton Seaport is a perfect example. Originally known as the Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen’s Museum, the Tuckerton Seaport strives to “preserve, present and interpret the rich maritime heritage, artistry and environment of the Jersey Shore and the unique contributions of its baymen.”  During their visit, guests are fully immersed in the Seaport’s history and can spend the day strolling through a replica of an historical maritime village, visiting galleries, participating in workshops and demonstrations, and hiking along nature trails.

A “living history” event, the Seaport’s annual Privateers and Pirates Festival features a dynamic theater troupe called Bloody Historical and gives visitors the chance to interact with entertaining characters demonstrating maritime skills of the Golden Age of Piracy during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.  The day promises to be packed full of fun activities for pirate lovers of all ages including the rather intriguing sounding amputation demonstration!  So don your pirate gear (prizes will be given for the best costumes!), grab you treasure map and get ready to live the life of a pirate or privateer.  Aaarrrggghhh!

Here’s a lineup of the day’s highlights  –

• Pirate Meet & Greet
• Pose on the Plank
• Pirate Costume Contest for Adults and Children
• Piratology 101: Learn about the Golden Age of Piracy!
• Cannon Demo: Watch how to handle and fire a cannon. Volunteers will be needed to join the gun crew. Don’t be scared by the big BOOM at the end.
• Scurvy Mutineers Sword Fight Show: A live steel combat show complete with action and laughs. Volunteers will be selected from the audience to join the mutiny.
• Whip Show: Things will really heat up as tricks and skills are shown.
• Pirate Pistol Duello Show: A stage show of how a friendly game of Liars Dice can go terribly wrong. Learn how pirates settle an argument.
• Amputation Demonstration!
• American Water Puddles Van: Learn about water conservation, where the water locally comes from, how the water is treated and play interactive games where you can estimate your daily water usage
• Watch the Parrot Pirate Party with a Parrot that Talks
• Pirate Food Court
• Make-and-Take Crafts
• Live Music by Pirates for Sail
• Treasure Hunt sponsored by Fantasy Island Plus, Pirate Ship Bounce House included with Admission!

Join Us There!

We can’t wait for this year’s festival and hope you’ll join us there!  Here’s the scoop –

• What? The Tuckerton Seaport’s Privateers & Pirates Festival
• Where: The Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum 120 West Main Street in the heart of historic Tuckerton.
• When: Saturday, June 7th  11:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Cost: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children, Free for Seaport Members and children under 5.  Your admission includes access to the Seaport’s 40 acres that feature maritime activities, historic and recreated buildings, live animals, a boardwalk, miniature golf course, exhibits, and all of the Pirate And Privateer fun!

Come for the Weekend!

And if you want to make a whole pirate weekend out of it, check out the nearby Sea Pirate Campground where you can either tent camp or, my favorite, “glamp” in one of the campground’s family cottages or cabins.  Glamping is a great way to have a camping experience without investing in all the gear required for tent camping and having a solid roof over your head is always a plus!

For More Information

• Visit the Tuckerton Seaport for information regarding the Privateers & Pirates Festival
• Visit the Sea Pirate Campground for information regarding the campsite.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Tuckerton Seaport.  This program is in partnership with Real Mom Media (www.RealMomMedia.com).  As always, all opinions are my very own!