The pirates are preparing for a party at the port.
The second annual Port of Orillia Pirate Party will happen Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. A screening at dusk of The Goonies at the Rotary Aqua Theatre will kick things off.
It will be full speed ahead Aug. 31 during a day packed with activities and attractions.
The popular walk-the-plank fundraiser will return. People can sign up to walk the plank and raise money for the restoration of the aqua theatre. Participants will gather at the bandshell at 2 p.m. before proceeding to the port to walk the plank at 3.
There will be “pirate ships” at the port during the weekend, and Tom Hurlbut, of the Lake Simcoe Squadron, will put his re-enactment skills to use during a presentation with about a dozen other re-enactors.
Hurlbut, a long-time Orillian, took part last year, too, and is excited to reprise his role.
“It’s really important to promote our events,” he said.
What he enjoys most about the experience is bringing history to life for kids in a fun and engaging way.
“Pirates really appeal to children, and if I can promote history in that way, it just makes it better,” he said.
Visitors are encouraged to dress up for the event. Hurlbut and Allan Lafontaine were in full pirate garb this week to promote the party, but they don’t expect everyone to go all out like are.
“Get a bandana and an eye patch and you’re a pirate,” said Lafontaine, managing director of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce, which operates the port.
The idea for the local event came to mind when Lafontaine visited the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Florida.
The initial goal for the Orillia event was to have some old ships at the port and a few activities, but it became more of a spectacle than he’d expected.
So, he’s going all out this year.
While the theme is pirates, there will be much more to the event. In addition to the fencing demonstrations and the return of the treasure hunt — which draws people into downtown Orillia to follow clues and find the treasure to win prizes — the Ontario Para Network will provide a wheelchair basketball demonstration and representatives with the Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games will be recruiting volunteers.
There will also be live music, including a performance by Mudmen on Sept. 1.
For more information, including a full schedule of events and pledge forms to walk the plank, click here.
