Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree is invading Ocracoke Island on November 1-2

October 31, 2024 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

2022’s Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree. Photo by Joy Crist.

One of the Outer Banks’ most beloved annual traditions – Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree – will once again be invading Ocracoke Island on November 1 and 2, with reenactments, a colonial encampment, and many more enticements for pirates of all ages.

The Jamboree will officially kick off at the Berkley Manor on Friday evening with The Motley Tones and a comedy, adult-oriented game show, “The Dating Game with Blackbeard,” in which comely ladies will vie for the chance to date Blackbeard the Pirate himself.

On Saturday, Ocracoke visitors can explore a colonial encampment on the grounds of the Berkley Manor, highlighting daily life, navigation, cooking and medicine, games for kids, and dozens of artisan vendors in Brigands Bazaar.

Among the living history re-enactors are The Cannon Crew out of Beaufort, (led by Capt. Carl Cannon), which will demonstrate historic navigation, weaving, and cooking. Meanwhile, Cannon’s period sloop, “The Adventure,” and Horatio Sinbad’s brigantine, “Meka II,” will circle the Silver Lake Harbor with cannons ablaze.

The living history crews will also reenact the infamous sword fight in which Blackbeard met his demise at the hand of Royal Navy Lt. Robert Maynard along the Silver Lake docks.

Historian Kevin Duffus and Sinbad will talk about “Blackbeard: Myths & Legends” on Saturday afternoon, while Saturday morning will feature the Pirate Parade, which is back by popular demand.

The two-day event will conclude at 5 p.m. on Saturday with a memorial service honoring the fallen sailors of both Blackbeard and Lt. Robert Maynard.

A complete schedule of events is listed below:

Friday, Nov. 1, 2 to 9 pm

2 to 5 pm – Brigands Bazaar vendor fair opens on the Berkley Barn grounds.
7 pm – Doors open. The Motley Tones perform
7:30 pm – “The Dating Game with Blackbeard the Pirate” (Adult oriented; might be boring for kids)

Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 am to 6 pm

9 am – A cannon blast awakens Ocracoke! Brigands Bazaar and the Colonial Village and open, featuring living history reenactors – pirate games, navigation, colonial medicine, colonial cooking and more.
10 am – A pirate parade (from Ride the Wind Surf Shop to the encampment).
11 am – A pirate sea battle with The Adventure and the MEKA II
11:45 am to 12:30 – Kevin Duffus & Sinbad talk about: “Blackbeard: Myths & Legends.”
12:30 – Small firearms demo by Leviathan at their site
1 pm – The Shadow Players perform in their set up
1:30 pm – Motley Tones perform in the Berkley Barn
2- 2:30 pm -Reenactment of Blackbeard’s Last Stand battle on the NPS docks
2:30 – The film “Boat Building in Your Own Backyard,” inside the Barn
3:30 to 4 pm – The Sword Circle demonstrates at the Barn
5 pm at NPS dock – The 16th Annual Blackbeard Pirate and Royal Navy Memorial Service.
6 pm – A final cannon blast closes the event