Once again, Damariscotta is thankful that marauding pillagers of the Pirate Rendezvous left the town in one piece after making landfall on June 12, amidst raised cutlasses, booming cannon fire, and threatened mayhem, all to the giggles and delight of children.
No question, it is the kids that have the most fun at this event. It is also about fundraising for kids, since proceeds and donations at the Pirate Rendezvous support the work of the Lincoln County Family Holiday Wishes program. The nonprofit provided gifts and food to 596 children and their families at Christmas time in 2009.
A big change this year was the number of families and children that seemed to get into the act; they were dressed as pirates and ready to have fun.
According to producer Greg Latimer, “It has been more successful than ever. As the event gets bigger, it becomes easier to manage and more enjoyable for the public.”
Latimer and co-producer Sally Lobkowicz support what they call an ‘any donation’ policy for the kids activities which means the most fun for families and kids during these tough economic times.
Along with the Schooner Landing pier, Water Street became another kid-hub, full of new activities, including this year’s Pirate Camp. An entire pirate ship was built by Michael Morrison of Bristol, using donated building materials from New England Building Materials, with paint and decoration by Hillside Collision.
“We had a new boat this season to attack, the Green Flash, skippered by Capt. Crunch [Steve Peters],” Latimer said.
Organizers were most pleased with the event drawing more out of state re-enactors, fans, and families.
“The crew of the Black Rose Pirates from New Hampshire brought 20 members, and Ivey Grey and the Barbary Blades belly-dancers from Portsmouth were certainly a hit,” Latimer said.
Because the event encompasses the entire town, Latimer is pleased the influx of visitors benefited many town businesses. “It brings people to the community who maybe haven’t been here before. They are spending the weekend and enjoying everything the Damariscotta region has to offer, as well as the Pirate Rendezvous.”
Family Holiday Wishes Director Cynthia Simonds is still recovering from the effort of the event, but she is so very pleased.
“I think this year’s Pirate Rendezvous was the best yet. We had hundreds of children having a blast and happy parents among the cannon fire and sword fighting. It brought lots of smiles. This event will also help us to make Christmas happen with double the smiles,” she said.
Both Latimer and Simonds can’t say enough about their volunteers. “This just doesn’t happen without them,” Latimer said.
Latimer also participates as the Pirate Scribe. “It is a great way to help entertain children and raise money to assist other children during the Christmas season. As a participant, it is a fun event, with a lot of action. Re-enactors might find themselves on a boat, or onshore firing a cannon. It is a great time.”
Latimer and Simonds are proud of their community as well. For instance, Pemaquid Lake Campground gave a special rate to the hoards of re-enactors that camped there, and many restaurants got into the spirit as well, “creating interesting and colorful foods were being cooked everywhere,” Latimer said.
Simonds gives tremendous credit to the efforts of Latimer and Lobkowicz. “Greg and Sally do an incredible job; they work harder than any pirates I know.”
