Following a hiatus in 2016, the Damariscotta River Pirate Rendezvous will return on Saturday, June 24 – bringing a motley crew of buccaneers both young and old to invade the Twin Villages and raise funds for local non-profits.

The restructured event will be a bit leaner, with a focus on activities at the Pirate Bazaar located at Schooner Landing including music, pirate re-enactments, pirate history exhibits, non-profit fundraising as well as food and beverage service.

There will be no children’s area on Water Street, allowing that road to stay open to normal traffic. However, the event will continue to provide plenty of action and activities for little buccaneers, including the pirate invasion at high noon.

“This event has always been about the children, and we plan on continuing that tradition,” said Charlie Herrick of Schooner Landing, the event host.

Also continuing will be the participation of the Pirates of the Dark Rose professional re-enactment group. They will bring sword fighting, black powder weapons, artillery, and the armed topsail yawl SV Must Roos to the event.

While many of the details are still being worked out, the general event schedule has been established. The Pirate Bazaar will open at 10 a.m., pirates will attack at high noon and invade the village with their numbers bolstered by young pirates who will join the crew, and there will be a Kid Pirates Costume Contest at 2 p.m. Schooner Landing will provide musical entertainment through the day, and the Pirates of the Dark Rose will create their “Tortuga Village” with exhibits, games and other activities. A variety of non-profit fundraising activities will also take place. Activities will continue at the Pirate Bazaar until 4 p.m.

While Schooner Landing will now host the event, Pirate Rendezvous originator Greg Latimer will still be on hand to assist with both preparations before the event and operations during the event.

More announcements regarding the Damariscotta River Pirate Rendezvous will be forthcoming soon. For further information on the Damariscotta River Pirate Rendezvous, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Greg Latimer at 207-380-9912 or greglatimercontact@gmail.com.