Selestia

I'm not a reenactor this year and don't have period utinsils. Vidonia deRamalho will be at the festival (she's a pirate from Tales/Pan Historia) and neither does she have the required items. So don't count us in for the dinner on the Nickel.

ONE WEEK UNTIL HAMPTON!! I'll be checking into the Radisson in the early afternoon (plan is to arrive no later than 3pm) on Friday, June 4th. Can't wait to meet you all!

Here's the latest head count for the festival: Pirates definitely attending.... Selestia Mad Woman Cheryl Zorg Cascabel (performing at the festival) Lady Elaina (performing at the festival) El Pirata Silverhearted Maggie Duncan McGuyver IndigoJack Cap't Rob't Silver (The Brigands - performing at the festival) Gretchen Bustenhalter (The Brigands - performing at the festival) Erik and Brett (The Brigands - performing at the festival) Tentative attendees..... Raven Cole Captain William Privateer Pete Stynky Tudor Others.... There are 5 joining us in Hampton.

I'll be there....staying at the Radisson. There are several pirates from Pan Historia and a couple non-PH/Pub pirates who will be there. I know of one other who will be bunked at the Radisson but haven't heard where everyone else is staying. I thought I had posted a preliminary "I'll be there" list earlier. Will have to find it so it can be updated. The festival is 4 weeks away!!

What an incredible artist you are, Redd!! I'm anxious to see more of your work.

Which VA Ren Faire location? Are you speaking of the ren faire held in Fredericksburg in mid-June? Hampton is approximately 2 1/2 hours (a little more or less) from Fredericksburg. I'm planning on being at the Fredericksburg faire this year.

Our number of pirates planning to invade Hampton is growing. More have said they'll be there....Cap't Robert, Gretchen Bustenhalter, and their two teen sons. This family also performs piratically (music and singing). I'll be arriving at the Radisson early in the afternoon of Friday, June 4th. I'll leave word at the hotel desk where to find me. You can also email me to let me know where to find you. The Pyrate's Ball is at 7pm at the Cousteau Center (next to the Radisson). Getting your tickets on or before May 15th will save you $5. The tickets are $25 until May 15th and $30 thereafter. If you're planning to buy your ticket at the door....keep in mind there's a good chance that the event will be sold out, so getting your tickets in advance would be advisable. Plans are in the making for getting everyone together for dinner on Saturday night (June 5th) at one of the restaurants nearby the festival. If you want to be counted in, please let me know. Is anyone interested in touring Williamsburg on Sunday and having lunch at the Raleigh Tavern? It's been a while since pirates invaded the colony and the tavern....time we shook them up and reminded them that pyracy is alive and well!!!! I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in Hampton.

I ordered boots from House of Andar this past Saturday night. They arrived this past Tuesday. I am impressed....both by the boots and by the service. The boots are the softest and most supple I've ever seen. They look great and are very comfortable. House of Andar is great to deal with. They are very concerned with customer satisfaction and go out of their way to be friendly, helpful and provide excellent customer service. The owner (Andrew) called me when I emailed him about the boots being too large to tell me he was sending a smaller size and a pre-paid return shipping label. Andrew also said he will be adding pirate clothing to his products soon, starting with breeches. I highly recommend House of Andar. I know I will be dealing with them again. Thanks Redvipers!!

Now that's a keg!!

Will do!

How I wished you all were here too!! Hoping you can be here next year. You will be present in our thoughts.....at least until we empty a hogshead or two and none of us can remember who we are! Knowing the photo fanatic that I am....need you even ask?!

I found one campground close by the Blackbeard Festival (used the Radisson as the destination).... Fam Camp (757) 766-7627 123 Saunders Rd, Hampton, VA 23666 Here's a link to a map showing Fam Camp (1) and festival location (2) .... Fam Camp to BB Festival Can't find any other info for this place except what SmartPages has listed. I've never been to Fam Camp so have no idea what it's like or offers to campers. FYI.....I did call their phone number tonight and they are in existance. I left a voice message asking them to send me info on their campground. As soon as I get it, will post it. NOTE.....If I can help anyone with their plans for Hampton, please contact me. I can be reached here at the Pub (PM/email) or email me at...pyratesoftheeasternsea@usa.com

What a great time we all had last year! Bob took it all in his usual good natured manner. Looking forward to more great moments this year!

Gathering from the posts so far.....here is a list.... Pirates definitely attending from the Pub.... Selestia Mad Woman Cheryl Zorg Cascabel Lady Elaina El Pirata Silverhearted Maggie Tentative attendees from the Pub..... Raven Cole Captain William Duncan McGuyver Privateer Pete Stynky Tudor Others (non-Pub).... There are 5 pirates (3 definite/2 tentative) planning to join us in Hampton. My apologies if I left anyone out or listed you incorrectly.....if I did, let me know.

The website for Hampton has been updated with info for this year's festival ....... 2004 Blackbeard Festival - Hampton VA Anyone who plans to be there, please let me know so we can arrange a meetup to plunder and pillage! The Radisson is literally only a few feet away from the festival on the waterfront. I just received a Virginia campground list and will post what is close to the festival. UPDATE.... Pirate's Ball....7-11pm - June 4th.....advance tickets (purchased by May 15th) cost is $25 per person. If purchased after May 15th....cost is $30 per person.

Aye there already be one for the Hampton BB Festival..... HAMPTON BLACKBEARD FESTIVAL INFO I posted on 3-9-04 links to the festival and Hampton. Anyone coming to Hampton, please email me so we can arrange a meetup. The website has been updated and now has all the 2004 info listed.

Great photos! Thanks for posting them. Bob and Dead Fred?! Hmmm....that's an attraction that'll probably send me into therapy!!

My favorites.....the sea and powder! Too intoxicating to put into words! (immediately followed on my favorites list by....pirate lads and rum!! )

What makes a qualified pirate? State of mind and heart! If you think it and feel it....then you are a pirate!

Imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery. The Land Shark has an extremely high degree of creativity and piratical elegance. As with any such labor of love.... it may be copied but never duplicated! I can see it now... when others are pulling out their photos of little moptops.....Claire will be flashing photos of the Land Shark with Jeff and Ded Fred on board!

Very nice. Please post photos of it in action.

This is just great!! *LMAO* I've got to try this.....actually will when I stop laughing long enough to get up off the floor and sit at the pc again to make one for myself. What a great looking crew you all are!!

I've been gathering info on the Hampton BB Festival and have posted links on the Pub calendar for June. No one had asked about camping but I'll start checking that possibility for those interested. Two attendees are already confirmed at the Radisson in Hampton. There is one male pirate in Kentucky planning to come and may be interested in sharing a room. Haven't gotten a definite yea or nay from him yet as to whether he'll be present. With the popularity of the Hampton festival growing each year, hotels can fill up quickly the closer it gets to the festival date.... so making your plans/reservations as soon as you can would be advisable. If I can help anyone planning to come to Hampton, let me know. Just email me and I'll do whatever I can to help you. Here is the info I posted on the Pub calendar...am posting it here for easy reference: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The 2004 Hampton Blackbeard Festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday - June 5-6, 2004 in Hampton, Virginia. The Pyrate Ball is June 4th. The weekend festival itself is free but tickets are required to attend the Pyrate's Ball. Pyrate Ball - June 4th - Friday night (pirate garb required to attend) - held at the Couteau Society building on the waterfront. The cost is approximately $25 per person which includes a buffet dinner. There will be a cash bar for cocktails, beer, wine. There will be piratical music, dancing, sea shanty singing, and tales. There is information for reenactors, encampments, krewes, volunteering for the festival, boaters, etc., on the webside. Here's the link to the ......2003 event ....2003 Blackbeard Festival - Hampton VA Here are links to helpful info ...... Information on the City of Hampton VA Links to Hampton VA lodging ...... Where to stay in Hampton VA Radisson Hotel Website There are 2 bed and breakfast inns..... Little England Inn Victoria House..... 4501 Victoria Blvd, Hampton VA 23669.... (757) 722-2658 (haven't found a website for this one yet) Other information ...... Map Quest..... for driving directions. For determining general distance/driving time from your home to Hampton....use the address 700 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton VA, as your destination as this is only a few feet away from the festival itself. There will be vendors selling an array of items as well as festival posters, shirts, hats, etc. See you in Hampton!! AARRRRRRRRR!!!!

Please post a photo. I'd love to see your outfit. Just as a matter for future reference..... the Hampton Blackbeard Festival is usually held either at the end of May or beginning of June annually. I'll raise a couple extra tankards in your honor for giving up pirating for a weekend in favor of such a worthy cause.

Anyone planning to be at the Hampton Blackbeard Festival, please let me know. I'll be there for certain. Would love to have a meet up and raise a tankard or two with you all!