A scorching hot summer day did not stop pirates from stepping out for the outdoor Pirate festival this weekend.
Festival-goers were dressed up in elaborate pirate and medieval costumes excited to experience the activities catered to pirates at the Marden Park and Community Centre. Arrrr.
The festival featured a busker performance, an aerialist, a mud show, a fire show, juggling, auditions, Shakespeare audions, musical performances and a marketplace with a variety of merchandise from clothing, to food, to handcrafted jewelry, and much more.
With an exuberant attitude, many festival-goers were fully in character.
“This is my first time visiting The Dry Bluffs this year, I'm here with my friend Grace O’Malley,” said Gabbi Teller, a woman dressed as an English woman.
“Grace has beef with her majesty, I do believe they want to address that. Now she's my best mate so I told her I would support her. So then that's why I decided to come.”
Cheers and laughter were heard in every corner of the festival, something the organizer - who likes to go by the name Zoltan the Adequate - was aiming for.
“It's fun to play dress-up,” said Zoltan who said the main purpose of the entire event is to have fun.
Currently, in its tenth year, Zoltan said the festival has had its ups and downs with the weather and economy in the past but is confident it will grow.
“We honestly have some of the best performers in southern Ontario and they're here this year,” said Zoltan.
“I have been performing in these themed events around in the United States and Canada for over 20 years.”
He said themed events such as the Medieval Festival, Renaissance Festival and Pirate Festival have been popular in North America for years and it is nice to continue the tradition.
“There’s a lot to do here,” said Zoltan.
The festival has been running from 11 a.m. on Aug. 3 and will end at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5.
