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The feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck is celebrated every year on February 10. Malta is well known for commemorating its history, retaining its Christian identity, and upholding its long-standing traditions. The Maltese say that the apostle Paul shipwrecked off the island’s coast, and they hold a grand festival to commemorate this event. A massive statue of the legendary evangelist is carried about town by the city’s toughest men. In Malta, it’s called ‘San Pawl Nawfragu.’ History of Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck According to the Bible, St Paul was caught in a storm while on his way to Rome from his home in Jerusalem. The ship was swept onto the tiny island of Malta by the winds, and the Maltese, well-known for being hospitable people, greeted St Paul with open arms. Acts 27:27 through 28:11 tell the story of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month winter stay in Malta. As a prisoner, he was transported to Rome, where he would be brought before Caesar for trial. Paul prayed for the safety of those aboard the ship and his request was heeded, for the ship never arrived at its destination, but rather, it ended up on the shores of Malta. This isn’t the only story told regarding St. Paul and Malta. Once, while Paul was visiting Malta, he was bitten by a venomous snake. St. Paul allegedly swiped the snake off his hand and was not wounded in any way. St. Paul stayed in Malta for three months before departing to continue his travels. Historically, St Paul is credited with founding the first Christian community in the Maltese Islands, making the island one of the earliest Roman colonies to embrace the faith. Malta’s patron saint, Paul himself, is also revered as the patron saint of those who’ve been bitten by snakes. https://nationaltoday.com/feast-of-st-pauls-shipwreck/

The 43rd Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival 8am-5pm The Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival is an annual event that highlights scuba diving adventures, shipwrecks, maritime history, and technical advances. Presented by the Ford Seahorses and Sea Lancers dive club. https://www.greatlakesshipwreckfestival.org/

Shipwreck Fest - Free to the Public - July 19, 2025 Forty years ago, our commercial fishermen sold their used gear as yard art on Commercial Ave. "Shipwreck" has evolved into a massive community garage sale including flea market and antique vendors. The event technically starts at 8 am, but there are usually some businesses and booths that get started right at first light, just like the old time fishermen used to. This event features over 200 vendors set up in booths along Commercial Ave.; each booth brings something new and usually very eclectic, and you are sure to find something that you can’t live without. There are also some food stands set up that serve a variety of different and delicious treats. This event is family friendly and is organized by the Fidalgo Island Rotary Club. But, please leave your pet at home. Vendors: 2025 Application information and maps are available on the Vendor page. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: What hours are the festival? 8am-4pm Where is the event? The event is held on Commercial Blvd from 10th to 3rd street. Where is parking available? Street parking is available east and west of Commercial Blvd. East of Commercial, near 10th and Q Ave there is a parking lot. Are there food booths set up as well? A very limited number of food booths (mostly drinks and snacks) are available. Plenty of restaurants on Commercial are open during the festival. Why are pets not allowed? We appreciate if if you keep your pets at home because the event gets very crowded. https://fidalgorotary.org/page/shipwreck-festival/

The Upper Keys Rotary Gigantic Nautical Market returns to Founders Park in Islamorada on February 22 and 23 in 2025. If you want to apply to be a vendor at the show, please send an email with a full description of your products and needs to giganticnauticalmarket@gmail.com Note that most places are assigned by the END of 2024. The show is all outdoors with food trucks spread around the park. You’ll find bargains on everything nautical including clothing, fishing and diving gear, boats, and motors. There’s fun for all the family! We call it the Boat Show with a beach! Gates open Saturday at 8AM. Park at Coral Shores High School and ride the free shuttle. We’ll see you at the Rotary Gigantic Nautical Market, presented by Keys Deck & Dock Supply, on February 22 and 23th in 2025 at Founders Park! Note: You can see a map and vendor list for the 2024 event at ROTARYMARKET.INFO https://keysrotary.org/Stories/gigantic-nautical-market-2025

When is the Big Island Rendezvous? In the fall during the colorful foliage season! Rendezvous is always the first Saturday and Sunday in October. (October 5-6, 2024, October 4-5, 2025, October 3-4, 2026). Rendezvous opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM on Saturday and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday. What is the Big Island Rendezvous? The Minnesota Office of Tourism voted The Big Island Rendezvous one of the state's Top 25 Festivals. It is a celebration of history during the fur trade period (1650 - 1840) and early Frontier America (1750-1880) including the Civil War Era and Pioneer Settlement (1840-1800). What are some of the activities during the Big Island Rendezvous? Entertainment: The festival hosts different performance areas with music and dance continuously throughout both days. The entrance stage has a sound system adjacent to the food court area. The performers minstrel around the grounds to give a more intimate performance to smaller audiences under the trees. Celtic, Bluegrass, Gaelic, old time country, gospel and Cajun music are some of the types of performances presented. Arts & Crafts: Properly attired re-enactors display and sell their wares. Artisans from 8 states attend including crafts persons and crafts such as blacksmithing, candle making, weaving and spinning, silver smithing, copper working, woodworking, clothing makers, painters, stoneware and porcelain pottery, scrimshaw, gunsmithing, birch bark canoes and furniture building. All types of colonial period trades and products are sold and various skills of the artists are demonstrated each day. Period Encampments: Over 300 tents and campfires created 12 acres of atmosphere in which to shop and listen to the entertainment. Over 1,200 living history re-enactors carry on their day-to-day lifestyles, as it would have been done over 200 years ago in the New World. No modernisms are allowed on site so you see no vehicles or modern plastic tents. You literally step back in time into a wilderness of history. Food & Beverage: Various community groups and individuals offer a huge selection of specialty foods. You will find food here that you would not find at home, such as the most popular kettle korn, fry bread, homemade root beer, stuffed baked potato with pork, cheese, onion and sour cream toppings, Pork Chop on a stick, Indian Tacos, beef, and funnel cakes. There is also wild rice soup, and smoked turkey legs, and the favorite pork chop on a stick. Childrens' Atmosphere: All types of activities and excitement are there for the children to enjoy. There are theatre, games, drills, and ceremonies, voyageur camps, and tipi tours. There is more than enough for the entire family to participate in each day. Where is the Rendezvous Located? It is located in a city park in Albert Lea, Minnesota. All visitors park at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and are taken by shuttle one mile to festival grounds. Take Exit 157 off of Interstate 90 (just west of Interstate 35) and go into Albert Lea and travel approximately 1 ½ miles and the Freeborn County Fairgrounds will be on your right at 1105 Bridge Avenue. Who runs the Rendezvous? The Big Island Rendezvous is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, has year-round volunteer staff, and an office in Albert Lea. The festival is helped by hundreds of volunteers & community organizations to make the event a reality. Thousands of dollars are raised each year with this event that helps with scholarships and other services in the area. http://www.bigislandfestivalandbbq.org/Rendezvous/aboutus.htm

The SECOND Buckeye Lake Pirate Festival for the Buckeye Lake region will be held on Saturday, May 16, 17, 18, 2025. This family friendly festival will feature a Port Royal Pirate Trade Show and a Buckeye Lake Pirate Treasure Hunt by Land and Sea. There are plans for a full day of activities all around the lake including Special Event Tours for kayaks, golf carts, trucks and much more. We welcome everyone – especially Pirates, Steampunk and Mermaids! https://www.buckeyelakepiratefest.com/

Fort de Chartres Colonial Market and Trade Fair (Juried event) held every year on the 1st weekend in April (5&6 2025). Link: https://www.fortdechartres.us/les-amis-du-fort-de-chartres/ https://reenactingschedule.org/event/annual-fort-de-chartres-rendezvous/2025-04-05/

NB: THIS IS THE OFFICIAL 2025 EVENT - INFORMATION HEREIN IS RELIABLE Ahoy, me hearties. Fancy a bit of buckleswashing? Are your timbers shivering in anticipation? Pull on your peg leg and your hooked hand and join us as we invade Ilkeston and seek the X that marks the spot. It's an event for everyone, be they steampunk or not. If not then you're in for a treat as hordes of steampunk pirates descend upon Ilkeston dressed to impress. Alongside them will be trader stalls and music and entertainers and games and stuff we haven't even thought of yet. Don’t be a lily-livered landlubber, join us for a fun-filled day - everyone is welcome, even those who don’t have their sea legs … yet. Facebook Event

SAVE THE DATE. The 3rd Annual Homosassa Pirate Invasion will be on Monday April 28, 2025 MORE DETAILS ON TICKETS, VENDORS, MUSIC AND MORE COMING SOON, but for now mark your calendars Facebook Event