September 17, 2009 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tybee Island to be Invaded by Pirates -
Fireworks and Marshall Tucker Band

Tybee Island, Ga. – The 5^th Annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest, one of Tybee’s most wildly popular events, is October 8^th through 10^th. This year, the celebration is bigger than ever, with the “Buccaneer Ball,” Fireworks Extravaganza, Thieves Market, multiple concerts (including the world-famous Marshall Tucker Band), Pirate Victory Parade, Kid’s Activities at Little Matey’s Cove and much more.

The festivities kick-off Thursday night October 8^th at The Crab Shack’s Buccaneer Ball where officials will crown the Pirate Fest King and Queen. Enjoy appetizers, cocktails, and music by “The Fundamentals” plus a costume contest for the best pirate and wench. Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door and can be purchased online at www.buccaneerball.com.

On Friday at 5 p.m. the pirate invasion begins in the shadow of the Tybee Pier and Pavilion. The pirates will party Friday night with live entertainment featuring the music of Roy and the Circuit Breakers and The Train Wrecks. At 7:30 p.m. the cannons will fire and the Fireworks Extravaganza will begin! When the fireworks cease the party continues with the music of The Eric Culberson Blues Band and Big Engine. The Thieves Market will be open with treasures for all ages, food and drink, plus The Little Matey’s Cove that will be filled with children’s activities.

The fun continues at South Beach on Saturday morning, and at 3 p.m. the pirates and their buccaneers will gather for Pirate Victory Parade down Butler Avenue.  And, the pirates will share their wealth of trinkets and doubloons with the crowd along the parade route. Live music will be playing all day and at 9 p.m., the world famous Marshall Tucker Band will take the stage. Tickets to Pirate Fest are $10 for 2-day weekend admission to the festival area and children 12 & under are free. Visit www.tybeepiratefest.com to purchase advance tickets.

Tybee Island Pirate Fest Highlights

• Tybee Island Pirate Fest has been named one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of October 2009.  The best events across the Southeast compete to receive the prestigious Top 20 designation.
• $10 weekend admission for the festival area – Children 12 & under FREE
• New this year: Bands will play under magnificent 10,000 sq. ft. tent rain or shine, Fireworks will coincide with Pirate Invasion on Friday night
• Pirate King: Cullen Chambers “King Scullen Bones Chambers”, Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society; Pirate Queen: Amy Gaster “Queen Amelia Mother of Pearl Gaster”, co-owner of Tybee Vacation Rentals
• Tickets can be purchased online at www.tybeepiratefest.com

October 8, 2009

• Buccaneer Ball | The Crab Shack | 7-10p
  • Live Music by “The Fundamentals” | Coronation of King and Queen of Pirate Fest Costume Contest – Prizes for Best Pirate and Best Wench
  • Tickets $20 advance $25 at the door- order online at www.buccaneerball.com

October 9, 2009
Location: South Beach Parking Lot – Tybee Island, Tybrisa St. to Strand Ave., Oceanfront
Festival Gates Open at 5:00p

• Thieves Market 5-11p
• Main Stage Entertainment
  • 5-6p                 Roy and the Circuit Breakers
  • 6-7:30p            The Train Wrecks
  • 7:45-9:15p       Eric Culberson Blues Band
  • 9:30-11p          Big Engine

****FIREWORKS – 7:30 PM****

• Little Matey’s Cove (Kid’s Activities)
  • 6-9p                 Critters to Go and Marine Science Whale Exhibit
  • 7-8p                 Mr. Magic (magic show and balloon making)
  • 8-9p                 Lacey (local teen singer)

October 10, 2009
Location: South Beach Parking Lot, Tybrisa St. to Strand Ave., Oceanfront
Festival Gates Open at 9:30am

• Thieves Market 10a-11p

• Activities
  • 11a-5p             Scavenger Hunt (1^st Place – $200 Cash Prize)
  • **** PIRATE VICTORY PARADE (BUTLER AVENUE) – 3PM ****
  • 5:30p               Pet Costume Contest
  • 6p                    Adult Costume Contest

• Main Stage Entertainment:
  • 12:30p-2p        The Bryan Clees Band
  • 2:45-4:45p       High Velocity
  • 5-6p                 Wormsloew
  • 6p                    Adult Costume Contest
  • 6:15-7:45p       Bottles & Cans
  • 8-9p                 Randy “Hatman” Smith
  • **** THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND – 9-11PM ****

• Little Matey’s Cove (Kid’s Activities)
  • 10a-6p             Petting Zoo
  • 10a-6p             Bouncy Rooms
  • 11a-12p           Free professional face painting for kids by The Puppet People
  • 12p-1p             Angela Beasley Puppet People Show
  • 1p-2p               Gretchen Greene Dancers
  • 2p-3p               Angela Beasley Puppet People Show
  • 3p                    Pirate Victory Parade (Butler Avenue)
  • 4:30p               Children’s Costume Contest
  • 5:30p               Pet Costume Contest

High resolution images of the event are available for download at: http://tybeeisland.com/tybeepiratefest/press-room

Media Contact:
Lindsay Fruchtl, Marketing Coordinator, Tybee Island Tourism Council
912-220-3428 or lindsay@tybeevisit.com.

Visitor Contact:
Tybee Island Visitor Center, 802 First St., Tybee Island, GA 31328
912-786-5444, 800-868-2322, info@tybeevisit.com, www.tybeevisit.com

Why buy a
$10 Weekend Pass?

This year’s Pirate Fest includes an admission fee for the first time. Since 2005, the events first year, Pirate Fest has been a free event. Pirate Fest is produced by not-for-profit organization called Tybee Fest, with just a handful of volunteers. Tybee Fest relies on donations and sponsorships to raise the large amount of money necessary to stage a quality event such as this. The event committee’s decision to begin charging an admission fee was extremely difficult to make. Unfortunately, due to the economy and the growth of the festival, sponsorships and donations alone could no longer fully cover the cost of producing a first class event. The decision came down to either cutting back on the quality of the event or charging a fee for admittance. So the decision was made to charge $10 for a weekend pass to the event; and to produce the best Pirate Fest to date! In order to help people understand the value they are receiving for their money here is a quick rundown of what you will receive for your $10. Also, in order to ensure that Pirate Fest continues to be a family friendly event, admission remains free to all children 12 and under!

What do I get for my $10 weekend pass?

• The fee covers your admission to the festival area on the South End of the island for both Friday and Saturday. This includes unlimited in/out privileges so you can come and go as you please. (The Buccaneer Ball is a private event held on Thursday at The Crab Shack, the day before the start of the festival; and it is a separate charge.)
• This year’s event will include a “big top”, a beautiful 10,000 square foot clear top tent, that will be erected to cover the stage and dancing areas. While this tent adds a major production expense it will ensure that the festival truly is rain or shine. The major entertainment portion of last years event was rained out and the tent will make sure that all bands will go on this year, including returning act The Marshall Tucker Band, who could not take the stage last year. The only way to get under the tent is with a weekend pass (or to be under 12 – because they are free).
• 10 different bands will play this year including: The Marshall Tucker Band, Big Engine, The Train Wrecks, Eric Culberson, Bottles & Cans, Wormsloew, High Velocity, Randy “Hatman” Smith, Roy and the Circuit Breakers, and The Bryan Clees Band
• Your admission into the costume contests and scavenger hunt, should you want to participate, is included in your weekend pass fee.
• Weekend pass fees also help to cover the costs of contest prizes and all of the wonderful kids activities offered this year. This year’s event will include a Petting Zoo, Pirate Bouncy Rooms, Treasure filled Sandbox, professional face painting for kids by The Puppet People, Performances by Angela Beasley’s Puppet People, games, and more! All of this FREE for the kids!!

Do I have to pay for the $10 weekend pass?

• If you are over the age of 12 then you have to pay.
• What if I am just coming for one day, not both days of the festival? The $10 weekend pass must be purchased even if you are just coming for one day. Think of it like you pay for one day and get the 2nd day for free!
• What if I am just coming to see 1 band? The $10 weekend pass must still be purchased. It is still a heck of a lot cheaper than most other concerts.
• What if I just want to bring my kids to the children’s events? The $10 weekend pass must still be purchased. But all children 12 and under are free!

You only need a weekend pass to gain admittance to the festival area which will be staged in the South Beach Parking Lot from Tybrisa Street to 18th Street. Watching the parade is free; make sure to get a good spot because parade participants give out treasure all along the parade route to spectators. Of course, as always, you must pay to park on Tybee Island from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

We hope everyone has a fantastic time
at the 5th Annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest!

Purchase your weekend passes for the Pirate Fest today and avoid the long lines! We’ll have a special entrance gate just for advance purchasers so you can avoid the last minute rush.

Buy Your Tickets Today