New Brighton Pirate Fest promises a swashbuckling weekend

They’ll be shivering timbers at New Brighton this month when the town places host to a swashbuckling weekend of piratical fun.

The New Brighton Pirate Fest – The Battle for Devil’s Nest takes place on August 17-18.

The free family-friendly event will feature a pair of specially created galleons, one to lead a pirate parade and one acting as a stage for a feast of jolly entertainment which includes a hotly-anticipated cannon battle.

The weekend starts with an opening parade outside Fort Perch Rock at 11.30am on August 17.

Special attractions also include cannon, musket and sword-fighting displays and interactive workshops. Themed games include Walk the Plank, Peg A Pirate, Message in a Bottle and No-Lose Treasure Tombola.

Meanwhile music fans can hear live local bands while children can take part in the face painting and Lord Rockpoint’s Treasure Trail. And there will also be storytelling featuring real hair-raising historical tales.

Pirate Fest coordinator Cathy Roberts said: "Business and community groups have pulled out all the stops to show New Brighton at its very best.

“We’re also particularly thrilled by the wonderful woodworking talents of Wirral Met College students who’ve worked tirelessly to create our wooden cannon trails."

Stage and screen actress Eithne Browne will take on the role of the legendary Mother Red Cap, while broadcaster Billy Butler - a one-time star of TV's Mersey Pirate show - will be the compere of the Best Dressed Pirate awards as well as providing live commentary for the Pirate Battle re-enactment in front of Fort Perch Rock.

Wirral Borough of Cultural ambassador, OMD's Andy McCluskey, is among those supporting the event.

He said: “As a Wirral resident and someone who loves history and the culture of the area, I’m looking forward to the weekend

“I fully back any event which celebrates our rich maritime history and culture and that certainly includes pirates."

The event is sponsored by RockPoint Leisure.

New Brighton Pirate Fest is on August 17-18. More details on the Facebook page HERE