The weekend of Aug. 9-10 sees Rock Hall, MD overrun by a Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend. The two-day party celebrates Rock Hall's 301st birthday, Costumes are strongly encouraged.

Pirate reenactors and sea chantey singers will appear around town. The event starts with a Cast-Off Party at the Harbor Shack Waterfront Bar & Grill, followed by a decorated dinghy flotilla and race. On Sunday, families can search for booty in a treasure hunt or collect some at the pirate pet and children's costume contest. The same day, the Fearless, a buccaneer-style ship, takes guests on one-hour sails from Sharp Street Pier. Children are invited.


Though it was never a pirate port, in the 1700s, Rock Hall established itself as an important tobacco port and by the 1800s was one of the busiest fishing outposts on the bay. Commercial fishing still is done on a smaller scale, but the main business today is tourism. During the summer, visitors cruise in from land and sea to eat dockside, go fishing or soak up Chesapeake culture in three bay-centric museums.

EVENTS

Saturday

* Kid's Cove on Sharp Street - Games, Crafts, Pirates - 10am-4pm
* Cast off Party at Harbor Shack noon 2pm
Register/Check In for Dinghy Race - 10am - 1pm
* Decorated Dinghy Flotilla - Bulkhead/Bayside Park - 1:30pm (pre-register at Harbor Shack and marinas now all fees have been waived - first 50 entrants will receive a P&W Souvenir Package) Spectators can catch the dinghy flotilla from Harbor Shack or the Bulkhead!
* Race to the Beach and Caribbean-Style Beach Party - Public Beach: 2pm - 5pm; Entertainment by Captain Dave!!!
* Ongoing Live Entertainment and Pirate Encampment in Smuggler's Village (aka Oyster Court): 10am - 5pm
* Sea Shanty Sing-a-long Crawl- 5pm
* Buccaneer's Ball at Waterman's Crab House - 8pm
o Barbeque Grille and Drink Specials
o Live Entertainment
o Graybeard's Treasure Chest valued at over $1,500 will be given away! (Buy raffle tickets at participating locations)
o Best Dressed Costume Contests
o Graybeard Look-A-Look Contest - Are you a gray bearded pirate? If so, come to the ball, join in verse and you just might be the winner!

Sunday

* Pirate Cruises Aboard the Pirate Ship "Fearless"- All Day Sunday at Sharp St. Wharf, $20/child and $25/adult
* Kid's Storytelling and Music - 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 - Church Lawn on Sharp St., 1:30 aboard Pirate Ship "Fearless"
* Pirates on the Chesapeake by Donald Shomette: Free Lecture and Book Signing at Java Rock on Main St. 11am - 2pm (lectures at 11am and 12:30pm)
* Town-Wide Treasure Hunt - Win 50% of the Booty! - Begins at 12 noon on Main St.
* Bawdy Pub Tales w/Captain Fletcher Moone Main St. - 12, 2pm, 4 pm
* Live Swordplay and Pirate Encampment Demos: Smugglers Village - 1pm, 2:30pm
* Pirate Pet and Children's Costume Contest: Main St. - 2pm
* Treasure Hunt Winners Announced: Sharp St. Pier 3pm
* Walk the Plank: Sharp St. Pier - 3pm
* Live Entertainment Continues in Smuggler's Village until 4pm and on the Waterfront until 6pm

All Weekend

* Pirate Encampment and On-Going Live Music in Smuggler's Village (aka Oyster Court)
* Street Performers
* Kid's Games, Crafts, Storytelling, Tattoos, and more
* Artisans and Crafters in Main Street Marketplace and Smuggler's Village
* Henna Tattoos, Face Painting and Hair Braiding in Smuggler's Village and Beach
* Plenty of Grub and Grog
* Magic, Mayhem and More Surprises.

Though it was never a pirate port, in the 1700s, Rock Hall established itself as an important tobacco port and by the 1800s was one of the busiest fishing outposts on the bay. Commercial fishing still is done on a smaller scale, but the main business today is tourism. During the summer, visitors cruise in from land and sea to eat dockside, go fishing or soak up Chesapeake culture in three bay-centric museums.

For a schedule and information, call 410-935-3491. Admission varies; some events are free.