Pirates, tall ship to make landfall in Port

Arrr matey, Port Pirate Daze are about to take over the lakefront this weekend.

The event, formerly called Port Pirate Festival, will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 1; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 2, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 3.

The festival, which will be held along the lakefront from Rotary Park to the north marina slip parking lot, features a plethora of family friendly activities, including music, costume contests, roaming pirates, a magician and bounce houses.

In addition, the tall ship Denis Sullivan will be moored in the harbor, offering those at the festival a chance to take a cruise or just tour the vessel.

The Sullivan, a reproduction of a 19th century three-masted schooner, will offer deck tours for $3 per person from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday and 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Cruises, including a special sunset sail with food and beverages, are offered all three days of the festival. Tickets and more information are available at www.portexploreum.com.

Port Pirate Daze, which has music stages in the north marina slip parking lot and at Rotary Park, will kick off with concerts by Hearthfire and hometown favorite Vinyl Groove at 7 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday, Left on Sunset and Centerfold will take the stages at 7 p.m., and on Sunday Riding Shotgun will perform at 2 p.m.

Breakfast with the pirates will be held at Newport Shores restaurant from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Reservations are suggested.

 A children’s pirate costume contest will be held at the east end of Main Street at noon Saturday and Sunday, while adults will get their chance to dress as pirates in a contest to be held at 6 p.m. Saturday.

A pirate parade will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday. The parade will begin near the intersection of Main and Wisconsin streets, head north to Washington Street, then go east to the lakefront.

There will be a children’s area at the east end of Main Street, historic encampments and talks by maritime historian Rick Smith.

There will be food and beverages available throughout the grounds.

The Sullivan will be back in Port again for the Paramount Music Festival from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.