Blog

The pirates are coming to the Savannah area this weekend and later this month. No, not those pirates! It’s time to celebrate pirates at the Tybee Island Pirate Fest October 9^th to 12^th and then welcome the El Galeon Andalucia, a Spanish 16^th Century Tall Ship as it docks along River Street for 10 days starting on October 24^th.

Tybee Island Pirate Fest

Every Columbus Day weekend for the past 10 years, Tybee Island hosts Pirate Fest as a way to boost visitation to Tybee Island during the off-season.  The City of Tybee Island, local businesses, and volunteers all come together to create a family friendly event that has grown in popularity every year. The Pirate Fest transforms Tybee Island into a pirate village for the weekend. The Pirate Fest features a parade, family activities, entertainment, costume contests and much more. There is a vendors market, called “Thieves Market, with pirate-themed clothes, accessories and artwork, plus local artisan arts and crafts.  The festivities  kick off on Thursday, October 9^th at the Buccaneer Ball at the Crab Shack. The Buccaneer Ball is an 18 and over event featuring music, food, costume contests, a treasure hunt and the crowning of the Pirate Fest King and Queen.  The festival continues Friday, October 10^th at 5pm with entertainment, a carnival and petting zoo for children of all ages. One of the highlights of the Tybee Island Pirate Fest is the Pirate Victory Parade held Saturday, October 11^th at 3pm. The parade, which goes down Butler Street to the beach, includes floats, costumed participants, treasures and much more! There will also be fireworks held Friday and Saturday nights at 9pm. Don your favorite pirate gear and head to Tybee Island for Pirate Fest, it is an event that can’t be missed!

 El Galeon Andalucia

Savannah welcomes the Spanish tall ship, the El Galeon Andalucia, to the Savannah Riverfront for 10 days starting October 24^th.  The El Galeon Andalucia is a replica of a late 16^th century merchant and war ship that traveled the high seas 500 years ago. The ship is taking part in the “Sail to Sunny 16^th Century Ship Tour starting off a tour of 9 ports of call from Ocean City, Maryland to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship was featured in the recent NBC series, “Crossbones”. Visitors will be able to tour 7 decks of the ship during the stay in the city with tours given by the 25 member crew. The ship will be open for tours from 10am to 6pm starting Friday, October 24^th to November 2^nd.  The Savannah Waterfront Association and the Air, Sea and Space Foundation are sponsors of the event. They also are hosting special events for school groups with two days of events on Rousakis Riverfront Plaza celebrating local maritime history.  To celebrate Halloween in one of the most haunted cities in the United States, the ship will be transformed into a haunted pirate ship with events for both adults and kids. You can find out more information about ticket and special VIP events on the ship’s website. Step back in a time when pirates ruled the seas on the El Galeon Andalucia.