Panama City Beach invites families of all ages to join in the celebrations of the 2017 Pirates of the High Seas Fest this Columbus Day weekend. From Friday, October 6 through Sunday, October 8, the seventh annual festival will bring swashbuckling adventures to the destination, taking pirate fun to a whole new level. This year’s free festival features three parades, live music, a scavenger hunt, three nights of fireworks, pirate invasions and so much more. Kids won’t want to miss Friday night’s Treasure Drop that includes thousands of gold and jewel colored beach balls dropped from nets stretched over the street of Pier Park.
“Columbus Day weekend is an ideal time to visit Panama City Beach, with perfect weather and a full schedule of unforgettable pirate-themed festivities,” shares Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “The Pirates of the High Seas Fest always draws an enthusiastic response from both the young and the young at heart.”
This one-of-a-kind event celebrates the spirit of pirates who were known to ply the waters of St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This holiday weekend, visitors are invited to join in staged pirate battles, following the legend of Dominique Youx and his krewe of loyal pirateers who fought to defend Panama City Beach from invaders who wanted to steal the destination’s jewels in the early 1800s.
In keeping with the family-friendly spirit of Panama City Beach, the below events ARRR sure to be a whole lot of fun for attendees of all ages.
Friday, October 6:
- Festival Village & Little Pirate Fun Zone (5 p.m.)
Get the weekend started with pirate themed activities for the whole family.
- Kid’s Parade (5:30 – 6:15 p.m. at Pier Park)
Children fill the available floats and parade down the streets of Pier Park, tossing out beads and other pirate treasure. (Space is limited.)
- Entertainment on Center Stage (6:15 – 6:30 p.m. at Center Stage)
The opening ceremonies at Center Stage will feature a dramatic reading of the Legend of Dominique Youx by the Pirates of the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, followed by Conch Sounding and the Treasure Drop, when thousands of gold and jewel colored beach balls are released from nets stretched above the crowd.
- Second Line Parade (6:30 – 7:00 p.m.)
All are invited to dress up and join the Second Line parade, which will end at Celebration Stage
- Live Music (7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Celebration Stage)
Live music on the Circle Stage features The Fals Do-Do Cajun Dance Music as the Second Line Parade winds through Pier Park in a colorful Mardi Gras style celebration.
- Fireworks Show (8:30 p.m. at Russell-Fields Pier)
A fireworks show from the City Pier sure to excite the entire family.
Saturday, October 7:
- Little Pirate Fun Zone (12-8 p.m. at Dave & Buster’s Parking Area)
A full day of fun offers children a chance to show their swagger with fun pirate-themed activities and entertainment. Pirates and mermaids will be leading activities, and temporary pirate tattoos will be available.
- Live Music (12:00 – 1:15 p.m. at Celebration Stage)
Live music on the Circle Stage from the Ukelele Orchestra of St. Andrews.
- Live Entertainment (1:30 – 2:30 p.m. at Celebration Stage)
Magic and more with Captain Mayhem.
- Pirate Invasion (2:30 – 3:00 p.m. at Pier Park and Pier Stage)
The Pirates of Dominique Youx defend Panama City Beach from an invasion of Pier Park as pirates swarm from the beach.
- Live Music (3:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Celebration Stage)
Live music from Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, the Main Parade on Pier Park Drive (5 – 7 p.m.) and a concert featuring Landsharks.
- Fireworks (8:30 p.m. at Russel-Fields Pier)
All pirates are invited to return for a second night of breathtaking fireworks, again launched over the beach from the City Pier.
Sunday, October 8:
- Lil’ Pirates Fun Zone Open (12-2 p.m. at Main Stage)
Pirates-in-the-making will learn the basics of casting and reeling in some of Panama City Beach’s native sea creatures.
- Victory Celebration (12:00 – 7:15 p.m. at Grand Lagoon and Captain Anderson’s Marina)
The day’s activities include a treasure hunt, magic shows, a family and pet pirate parade, food and drink specials at area restaurants, live music, pirate ship flotilla, and a fireworks show in the evening.
Exact times are subject to change. Attendance is free for all the events mentioned above. For more information about the festival, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.