The Township of Esquimalt is inviting residents to raise the Jolly Roger as they prepare for a weekend of gold, gunpowder and galleons.
From May 10 to 12, the township will once again host Buccaneer Days, a pirate-themed weekend that will include local foods, pirate attire, live music and a midway carnival.
In 1939, Esquimalt began holding the May Queen celebration, which eventually evolved into Esquimalt Days. In 1966, it became Buccaneer Days and has been so for the past 57 years.
Kicking off the event, on Friday, May 10, a community lunch will be held at noon at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre and the midway carnival will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Archie Browning parking lot. Community food vendors will be available starting at 3 p.m. at the Archie Browning ball diamond and family music bingo will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the curling rink.
On Saturday at 7 a.m., a vehicle will drive through Esquimalt for the famed early morning “wakey, wakey” call through a loudspeaker before the 7:30 pancake breakfast at the Archie Browning entrance.
Starting at 10 a.m. the parade will go down Esquimalt Road, and at 11:30 the mascot race will be held at Bullen Field. At 11 a.m., a beer garden will be available at the ball diamond and a corn hole tournament will start at Bullen Field.
The last day, Sunday, May 12, will begin with a Mothers Day breakfast at 9 a.m. at the Bullen Field concession and the Little Bucc’s Olympics will start at 10 on the field. A skydiver demonstration will be held at Bullen at 3 p.m..
Throughout Saturday and Sunday the midway will be open starting at 11 a.m. and a pirates den family zone will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information and for the full schedule, visit https://www.esquimaltbuccaneerdays.ca
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