The annual Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree on Ocracoke Island is on the horizon, and the two-day festival kicks off on Friday, October 29.

The Jamboree commemorates the last days of Blackbeard the pirate, who was killed off of Ocracoke on Nov. 22, 1718.

After being canceled in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and canceled in 2019 due to Hurricane Dorian, the annual Jamboree is once again returning to the island, although there are several changes due to the pandemic and post-Dorian landscape.

“Ocracoke Island, like everyone else, is climbing out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the island is also recovering from the flooding devastation from Hurricane Dorian in 2019,” stated an earlier update from event organizers. “So, Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree will go on Oct. 29 and 30, but will be scaled back this year.”

“This year, too, the festival will focus more on history and colonial life and on family fun. Festival-goers will be urged to eat and drink in any of Ocracoke’s many restaurants.”

The event is free and open to the public, and the schedule for the two-day festivities is listed below. Numerous events have been added to the schedule in the past few weeks, since the return of the event was first announced in June.

For more information about the Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree, visit the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BlackbeardsPirateJamboree/.

Schedule 2021

Friday, Oct. 29

Artist vendors open from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Berkley Manor grounds

6:30 inside the Berkley Barn – The Motley Tones minstrels will sing some rollicking songs.

7 p.m. – ‘The Incredible ‘Blackbeard’s Ghost’ Rocky Horror Picture Show!” including a discussion about Pirates and Fake News in 1718. Join us to watch the movie “Blackbeard’s Ghost” (1968) and shout our favorite lines from the movie. Popcorn & sodas for sale.

Saturday, Oct. 30:

9 a.m. – The Colonial Village and Brigands Bazaar vendor fair on the Berkley Manor grounds opens as a cannon blast wakes up Ocracoke! Activities for all throughout the day will be held until 6 p.m.

10 a.m. – A Pirate Parade! With anyone who wants to join in and the walking giant Blackbeard puppet and Jimmy Bones. Parade musters at Ride the Wind Surf Shop and parade ends at the encampment.

10:30 a.m. – Motley Tones perform in Community Square.

11 a.m. – A pirate ship (ADVENTURE) invades Silver Lake and is met by the Royal Navy (MEKA II).

11:30 a.m. Inside the Berkley Barn – Kevin Duffus presents a talk: “The Pamlico Pirates—Who were they? What did they do, and why did they do it?”

12 p.m. outside the Berkley Barn – Sword Circle gives a stage fighting demonstration.

1 p.m. inside the Berkley Barn – Kevin Duffus presents: “Who was William Howard—Pirate Quartermaster or Ocracoke owner?”

1:30 p.m. – Motley Tones perform (TBD)

2 p.m. – Three-boat battle in Silver Lake between Blackbeard and Maynard. “Battle of Ocracoke.”

4 p.m. at the Berkley Barn – The Sword Circle demonstrates stage fighting.

5 p.m. inside the Berkley Barn – The 13th Annual Blackbeard Pirate and Royal Navy Memorial Service

6 p.m. – The 2021 Blackbeard Pirate Jamboree concludes, but see flier below for nighttime entertainment.

(Schedule subject to change)