Ahoy, mateys! Drayton Harbor Pirate Festival is set to make its annual return to Blaine Marine Park, 272 Marine Drive, on Saturday.
The festival, organized by Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2, will include live music, mermaid photo opportunities and a vendors’ market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a variety of local food and craft vendors.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Junior Pirate Cove will be open with kids activities, such as “deck swab,” a hockey-like game, and an obstacle course. “Foam parties” will make their popular return from the Tuttle and Crump Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, in which cannons shoot foam for 30 minutes every hour on the hour starting at 11 a.m.
Everyone is encouraged to attend in their best swashbuckling attire. There will be a costume contest for kids under 12 years old, which will take place at 2 p.m., followed by a water balloon fight at 2:30 p.m.
The “anything but a boat” race, a focal point of the event, will begin at 1 p.m. Contestants are asked to build a boat using anything but boat-building items and materials, such as paddleboards, kayaks, inflatable boats and motors.
Teams of up to four will try to stay afloat while they race across the harbor. Each member must have a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and remain in or on the vessel for the entirety of the race.
First and second placers will earn prizes donated from the community. Teams will also be judged on creativity and other factors.
Pre-registration for the race is required, and the festival is free to attend and open to the public. Full race rules and the registration link can be found by visiting bbbparkandrec.org and selecting community events.
