The Brixham Pirate Festival is an annual event that continues to grow in popularity each year. It's a colourful and lively event, with fantastic live music, an amazing atmosphere and it is an all round great family day out! This year the Pirate Festival commemorated the death of local pirate Sam Bellamy, known as Black Sam, who was lost at sea 300 years ago.
For some it's been a long whole year to wait with lots of hanging around killing time
Bright and early the pirate stall holders begin to set up shop
There's usually a number of stalls at the event ranging from food and drink, right through to dunking pirates in the stocks. There's definitely something for everyone. The first stall holders start setting up nice and early around 8.30am.
Everyone involved enters into the spirit of the festival and many of the local shops and businesses put out flags and balloons. Even pets get in in the act with many of them sporting skull and crossbones scarves.
The first of the pirates start to arrive
Down by the harbour the pirates begin to arrive in readiness for the first of the parades which normally starts at the top of Brixham's Fore Street each day around 10.30am.
Pirates soon begin to assemble for the parade at 10.30am
The assembly point for each daily parade is normally at the top of Brixham's Fore Street, which is the town's main shopping centre. In the Main Street there are a number of wonderful coffee shops, pubs and convenience stores.
The crowd begins to build at the top of Fore Street ready for the parade
Everyone begins to assemble in readiness for the parade. Without a doubt the Pirate's festival makes for a great photo opportunity!
The Pirates festival provides a great photo opportunity for photographers
With a huge array of vibrant costumes and a number of pirate skirmishes to photograph, the festival provides a rich opportunity for anyone looking to hone their camera skills.
At around 10.30am The Parade Begins
Some pirates appear focussed during the parade
Some pirates appear deep in thought...
But Don't be fooled...
As the parade marched the crowds began to build
Meanwhile down past the old Fish Quay, the musketeers were getting ready to do an important job
Getting the cannons ready
As part of the Pirate Festival, we are treated throughout the day to a number of firings of both cannons and muskets. This year at 11.00am the first of the firings began. Below is a shot of the musketeers reloading the cannons.
Musket Fire
Below is a shot of the muskets just as the muskateer, second from the right shouts fire, the fire coming from the muskateer situated second from the left can be seen.
Once the guns have been discharged the musketeers quickly reload amongst a plume of smoke.
Music throughout the day
Musical entertainment is provided throughout the day by a wide variety of live bands and folk artists. Many of these artists sing traditional pirate songs to join in with and dance along to.
The Pirate Festival is about Everything Pirate
Young or old there's something for everyone at the Pirate Festival. Even Pirate babies are ferried in pirate style. Here's a baby buggy that has been converted into a ship! fantastic!
skirmishes on the golden hind and the Nao Victoria
This year two of the great highlights of the festival were the reenactments of skirmishes on a replica of the Golden Hind (Sir Francis Drake's Tudor Galleon) and a replica of the Nao Victoria (the first ship to sail around the world. Below are a few of the images from these skirmishes.
Skirmish on the Golden Hind
Skirmish on the Nao Victoria
Cannon fire and smoke across the harbour, signals the start of the skirmish on the Nao Victoria.
The skirmish on the Nao Victoria appeared much more relaxed, there was even some time for the crew to take advantage of a photo opp.
However As The Crew Posed, The pirates said "we are boarding your ship"
Oh no you're not!!
Oh yes we are!!
Oh no You're not!!
Boom! too late the pirates jump aboard
Soon it's all over but check out the lady on the bottom left
If all of that excitement isn't enough??
If pirates, skirmishes, music and stalls still aren't enough then there's always lots of really great street entertainment. The following three girls provided some great shows throughout the day including hoops, fire hoops, fire eating and more...
That's not Fire Eating??
Now that's what's called fire eating (ouch!)
Now for something slightly less dangerous
If that's still too energetic then you can always listen to the street music
After all that fire eating, music, singing and a pasty or two, what you really need is...
A nice lady at a Rum Bar Selling Pirate's Grog
But what happens to naughty pirates after they have drunk too much??
For naughty pirates there's always the stocks. There's no rotten eggs, fruit or veg to throw at them but there's always a wet sponge. Here's how the naughty pirates got on. These guys were great sports!
And it's a miss!
The first sponge misses its target but don't look too smug yet!
Boom! What a shot!
This time it was a direct hit! Ouchy!
Did the Pirates survive??
They certainly survived the soaking, but if they were ever naughty again then their fate was made clear...
And if all else fails
No Pirates Festival would be complete without Brixham's own Captain Blackheart
But wait! There's a new kid on the block. Meet Highwayman!
Here's another Pirate who's on a mission
Our pirate below has a job to do. He's bodyguard to a very special person!
Apparently our cute cuddly toy has his own Pugwash captain fan page a VIP for sure!
There were certainly lots of happy people at the festival and the atmosphere was amazing!!
No Sun! No Problem, we've got an umbrella for that!
Not daunted by the weather the Festival carried on in grand old style.
Jack Sparrow was a popular character, here's a few of them
The Pirate Costumes were amazing!!
Oh dear it was all over too Soon!
As quickly as it arrived it seemed to be over so soon and everyone started to head home after all of the fun.
As the sun Sets on the festival for another year...
The fun might be over for now, but don't forget that Brixham is a beautiful town in a stunning part of South Devon. So although there may no longer be any fab costumes to photograph, you can always grab yourself some fantastic pics of the amazing scenery.
Oh and don't forget to spare a thought for these guys who do a sterling job of keeping everyone safe and tidy!
Photo Credits
All photos by Karyn Easton (Secret Shutter Photography)
Web: www.secretshutter.co.uk
Email: smile@secretshutter.co.uk
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Please note all images copyright Karyn Easton and produced on behalf of the Pirate Festival Committee
Credits:
Karyn Easton Secret Shutter Photography www.secretshutter.co.uk Email: smile@secretshutter.co.uk Facebook: secretshutter Twitter: @secretshutter Instagram: loveonlyhere