Dates: September 19th and 20th
Location: Cathedral Park, St. John’s Oregon
Times: Saturday 10AM-10PM, Sunday 10AM – 6PM
As seen through the Spyglass of the Faire Reporter. . .that part of the year which is treasured by Pirates near and far is upon us again as the Portland Pirate Festival prepares to open its gates.
In it’s third year, the Portland Pirate Festival shows tremendous promise. Well accepted by the community and a treasure in the hearts of Scurvy Dogs everywhere, it’s clear that the Production team at the PPF has made it’s mark for clarity, fun, and adventures.
A pirate ready to be counted advances upon the Portland Pirate Festival
What’s on the parchment of this year? Breaking the Guinness Book of World Records tally for the largest number of pirates gathered together. Pirates are sharpening their cutlasses, and dusting off their best in preparation for the largest gathering of Sea Dogs in known history, and the lovely town of St. John’s Cathedral Park is to be the center of this historic event as it hosts the annual Portland Pirate Festival.
On Sunday, Sept 20th starting at 2PM to break this record is needed 1,500+ Pirates in full regalia dressed according to the specified rules of the Guinness Book of World Records. For further information on what you will need to participate in this event be sure to check out the Portland Pirate Festivals website at http://portlandpiratefestival.com. This event is sponsored by Dress Like A Pirate, home of a unique collection of Pirate wear and accessories.
So Ahoy Mates, and Bottoms Up for the Pirates Party of the Year!
Breaking the World Record is just one of the multitude of events, performances, games, and family activities that make your visit a best bet for families, singles, and pirates of the deep blue sea. The festival grounds encompass approximately a quarter of a million square feet fully dedicated to the faire. Translated into pirate terms, one could say the area covered is two football fields long and 1 football feed wide, shaped like a big peanut, an all green space, with a lovely view of the river, This time of the year, with the onset of the fall colors brings a special charm to the festival.
Portland Pirate Festival Canon Show on Boom Beach
Boom Beach offers the Canon shows, unique to the festival, the Cannon Battles, are very well operated recreating what a battle between the Royal Navy and a group of pirates might have looked like. This is a higher level of drama than one might experience in a typical historical re-enactment as provided by the Boom Pirates who call themselves “re-enactment entertainers”.
Additional attractions include two merchant villas, and two stages for ongoing performances. It’s a long list of activities, and to make your choices easier the following links will help you ferret out the details of the different events going on daily.
A Bit of History
Shuhe Hawkins is founder and managing director of the festival, and co-produces the event with his partner Kate Larsen, as owners and administrators.
Shuhe and Kate started with a pirate re-enactment group, the “Brothers of Oceanic Mercenaries”,
beginning with some minor gigs, and then formed a performance troupe to perform at Renaissance Faires. Music was added as the troupe grew bringing in a larger crew to assist with the stage performance. Parallel projects that Shuhe and Kate were involved with required a Tall Ship, bringing the last piece into place. At this point someone made a suggestion that they should put on a festival.
Original members of the team included Captain, Bogg, & Salty,
Courtesy of Chris Owen, Captain Bogg & Salty, Pirate Performers
as well as the Boom Pirates, of which both are still active participants and performers at the Portland Pirates Faire, Shuhe and Kate. Today, just Shuhe and Kate are directly responsible for management production and are assisted by Clowns Unlimited, for performance and booking management, and a Sound, Light and Staging production crew. Volunteers fill out the rest of the team with invaluable assistance with maintenance, security, gate and assuring that the details are covered and things run smoothly.
And run smoothly they do! Shuhe reports that audience feedback consistently is positive. The Portland and surrounding area communities are happy with the Pirate Festival, adding that they hope to see it continue for years to come. However like most Renaissance Faires in the U.S. and Canada today, Shuhe and Kate face typical bureaucratic processes when dealing with local government,
(PDX News) Doug Brenner, East Portland Services Manager, and David Yamashita, senior planner with Portland Parks & Recreation take comments
Parks and Recreation Departments, and city ordinances. High daily fees for park usage, insurance and operational costs to run the festival are not subsidized by the city of Portland or Oregon Arts Councils. Shuhe, in typical Pirate independence spirit, claims “Even Pirates have our principals, the principals of freedom that speak to their own.”
Ultimately, however independent this group of spirited entrepreneurs may be, they will have to make difficult choices regarding location and the ability to continue to bring high quality family entertainment to their community. Without a more supportive governmental infrastructure, the high costs of operation will ultimately force them to a more welcoming environs; possibly outside of the Portland metropolitan area.
Support your Local Pirate Festival!
The Portland Pirate Festival has been bringing this fine entertainment to the area since 2006. The first year, expecting just a few thousand attendees, they were flooded with more than 10 thousand Pirate celebrants. Numbers have continued to grow each year until 2008 when economic downturn and inclement weather reduced the growth pattern slightly. Shuhe and team are confident that this year’s attendance will be robust, and are prepared to welcome guests and pirates with a hearty Ho, Ho, Ho…, so come prepared for a great time, and be part of history making events, and don’t forget to “Talk Like a Pirate”
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