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NorCal Pirate Festival
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- Good for Kids:
- Yes
18 reviews for NorCal Pirate Festival
I have 2 suggestions for the organizers of the 2009 Festival, but I just can't bear to take away any stARRRRRS from the event.
1. If you make a point of saying that the festival's open from 10am to *dusk* on Saturday, do not turn away folks that arrive at 6:30pm. Here's a little definition of dusk: http://en.wikipedia.or....
2. Designate one jumpy house for big kids and one for little kids, so the littles don't get trampled.
Other than that, keep doing what you're doing! I am your biggest fan!!
YAAAAARRRRRR!
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/16/2008 First to Review
Any good pirate will tell you that a free pARRRRRty is the best kind. And a pARRRRRRty with a… Read more »
My very first Pirate Festival - and I was not disappointed! I had so much fun seeing all the costumes and exhibits. I had a blast looking through the many tents/booths of clothes, hand made soaps, spices, and jewelry - I'm shocked that I didn't buy anything. My favorite store name? Boots and Boobs. HAHAHA! Wonderful custom made corsets at the Dark Garden. tent Will probably visit that store one day. Fun stage shows and entertainers parading around throughout the crowds.
Saw live parrots, an owl, even a 7 toed cat! Yep, little kitty had 7 toes on each paw. So I guess he was really a 14 toed cat. The costumes people wore were amazing. I admire the dedication of even just the party goers.
The food was yummy. Got a big-ass smoked turkey leg and a hibiscus cooler to wash it down. A couple of bites from the meat pies my hubby bought and I was done. Of course, as the day got hotter I couldn't go without a frozen coconut treat.
Fabulous time. Nice and sunny day. The only bad thing was that it was freakin WINDY. Can't help that.
Oh, and boo to the woman with the giant tarantula puppet who was rather mean towards my friend and I for having terrible arachnophobia. She actually got pissy when we quickly walked around her to avoid looking at that thing. What was her deal?
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We went to the 3rd annual Northern Calif. Pirate Festival in Vallejo on Sun 6/21/09 - FREE event. FREE parking at Vallejo Baylink parking, there's also an Overflow Ferry Parking just behind it. Plenty of street parking too if you go early. We got there maybe 10 min before 10am.
There's lots of people dressed up and lots not dressed up. I think it's better to dress up if you can - maybe more fun. We didn't so it was kinda lame.
Many booths to buy stuff - hats, coin, etc.
Food booths - overprices fair food. Thing that looked good to me was the Smoked Turkey Leg - huge thing if you get it.
Other food:
Acropolis - gyros, piroshkis, etc.
Acropolis Cart - pickles, pretzels & cookies
Arrrr-T-Chokes - friend got the fried artichokes -only 4 tiny pcs w/ a container of butter $10.. it was hilarious.
Chocolate delights & confections
fruit ice - $5 - flavors they had: pineapple, coconut, orange, lemon, pina colada & apple
Fyne Pirate Grub - turkey legs
Gelato
Nellie's Oysters
Heritage Foods - shepherd's pie, etc.
Vallejo Music Theatre-Rogues Reef - hot dogs
St. Cut-Throats-sandwiches
The Buccaneer Bull - burgers
The Captain's Nuts - roasted almonds
The Tamale Cart - didn't see
Highlight for me: Cannon Display: 11:30am. Lots of cannons being blown - Very loud!! Bring Earplugs!
Cannon Battle: 2pm on the Water! Cool. Pirate ships, cannons, guns! Bring earplugs!
We stayed from 10am-2pm
Worth it if in the neighborhood or at least once. Great place to take photos.
Hope if you missed it, you can go next yr & it's still FREE.
Location: located on the Vallejo Waterfront. 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo.
SF ppl: From the SF Ferry Building take the Vallejo Baylink Ferry & it's only a few short steps west of the Vallejo Ferry Terminal.
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Avast mate!
Save the date.
Wrinkly old prunes, Old sea salts
Bring ye' goblet, down some malts
Daggers, swords; all that swashbuckling
Leather, treasure, gold; all that bling
Meat pies, fowl legs, and beer
Food and fun for as far as the ear can hear
Most worthy three hours of my Sunday
Many a pirate-y things to say
Boots and Boobs. Steak on a Stake. A Cutlass Supreme.
I remember it like a lucid dream.
Landlubbers come and find solace
Turn Vallejo into a pirate's palace
Scrub the barnacles off ye' old ride
Grab me hearty lass, strap her in portside
And if ye' ain't got one, you can cruise for some booty
Just watch out for that scurvy!
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So you think you're cool enough to watch Pirates of the Caribbean? Or that every Hallow's Eve you dress up as either the sexy wench or pirate where your nipples are out and about as you run to save the damsel in distress?
Well think not, matey.
I couldn't believe how many people come out of the woodworks to take part in the Pirate Festival ... FULL BLOWN CHARACTERS! I mean you can really get in the spirit of this place; for two days become part of the cove towns where the faint-heart are too weak to walk amongst the drunk and rowdy of the pirate people. I really thought I was walking into the live version of Disney's infamous pirate ride. And it is all free for the public!
A definite 10 on my part!
First of all, if boobs aren't your thing..don't bother to show up....they were everywhere! I couldn't get away from them!!! ARG!!!!
Ok, back to the event...
My 3 year old has always been intrigued and drawn to the allure of hidden gold and a life of seemingly endless adventure. There I am supporting him in his quest to perfect, "Arg!" while dressing him as close to Captain Jack Sparrow as possible.
Yes, I got sucked in.....The festival itself is organized quite well. The people working the entertainment matched if not exceeded my son's enthusiasm. Their willingness to stop what they were doing and take a picture with a little one was impressive. They went out of their way to make my boy feel a part of the club, What great folks!
The food booths were pricey and as others mentioned, it would be a good idea to pack a picnic in the open grass field across the street. I was also bummed that the only beer booth was from Lagunitas....how about adding Gordon Biersch to the roster next year?
The battle scene, a yacht masquerading as the "Black Pearl", equipped with a few, pirate manned light canons was making passes at a group of land-based artillery. Manned by numerous redcoats, the land-based cannons, packed a wallop. The pirates were also busy keeping up with salvos of their own. You also had a few Redcoats in skiffs firing back at the pearl with hanguns....ha!
This was the 3rd annual festival and my first and I will be back next year....perhaps as Captain Barbossa himself!
AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
LoL! I love this place! I love Pirates and even if I didn't this was still a very fun event! They have singing, dancing, scavenger hunts and all kinds of games for the kids. Of course tons of grub, Tukey legs, oh god yum!!! Don't forget the grog, I love me some Ale!!
The staff working this event play their role so well!
If you haven't been then you really need to check it out, if not for yourself do it for the kids, they would love it just as much as me!!!
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OMG Damn that Bee for putting pictures of me up and not yelping it first! lol. But it's alright only because one of them is my default pic now.. I forgive her.
This is one of the best things I love about being home. You get to dress up, or not, and get your share of grog and grub.. sing along to pirate songs and shop.. Got my totally cool umbrella here.... I'm sitting here typing and smiling.. it's just really so much fun. An experience. I say if you like Pirates and new things then get your booty down to the waterfront next time you're in Vallejo and the festival is here.
Oh and I will never forget what one pirate said to the wench (me haha) "ahoy there.. mind if i plunder yer booty?" lmao.. So silly..
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The festival sounds great, but we got there at 7, and they weren't letting anyone else in. The website said: 10AM to dusk. The sun sets at freakin' 8:30 these days, and they shut down at 7PM? Lame.
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This is the coolest event ever! You better get dressed up for this one! Everyone wears pirate apparel and is crazy and wild. With great food and such this festival is awesome!
Great to see all the costumes even if you dont have your own. Entertainers were also great fun especially Capt. Jack Sparerib. The food court, on the other hand, is way overpriced. I got the "whole quail platter" which consisted of a tiny piece a flattened quail, a spoon of wild rice and 2 spoons of spinach. It was tasty but a mere snack for the price of dinner. Next time I'll do like many others and will bring my own cooler.
Walking to the very wonderfully placed Pirate Festival - right on the water, kept the patrons nice and cool - I was beaming. What greeted me was a giant party, and only pirates (and friends of pirates) were invited.
I tried my best, wearing my pirate shirt, striped pants, and carrying my wooden sword that imbued my 6 year old self with pirate infatuation, and was heartily welcomed by the vast amount of better costumed folk. Every worker there seemed to be really enjoying themselves, and I saw pirates of any and all types. There was a whole attitude of, "do what you will" that pervaded the whole event, and kept everything lighthearted.
Good food, great events and musicians, wonderful people, and amazing booths of piratey garb and trinkets. I will be going back every year.
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It was Father's Day weekend. What better thing to do than to attend the second annual Northern California Pirate Festival! Upon arrival, we were excited to see so many people in full pirate gear. Unfortunately, the only one of us to dress up was the little one who insisted on wearing her pink princess costume. No worries though, we were determined to buy all or parts of our costumes here.
As expected, there were plenty of booths selling clothes and accessories, lots of food and drink, stage shows, jumpers, and great personalities. We saw some amazing costumes, and even had a Davey Jones sighting! Plus there were pirate ships and live cannon battles, which was pretty spectacular. All of this at a FREE festival with FREE parking... yay!
There was a nice variety of food available, definitely something for everyone, even PB&J for my little pink princess. Also, there was a large seating area set up with plenty of tables of chairs.
I was happy to find my favorite vendor here (Heart's Delight) and even stood in line 4 separate times to buy things from their shop! We'll definitely be back next year and we'll be decked out in our pirate finery!
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This year was even bigger and badder than last year! Had another terrific time this year catching up with old faire folk from the REC/Patterson Ren Faires and admiring the spunky costumes! The weather and location were absolutely perfect for a day of hijinks and hilarity! Entertainers were fantastic this year.
Its amazing to have such an opportunity right in our backyard for FREE! No carting our asses down to Casa de Fruta to shell out $22 for an experience overseen by a Disney Subsidiary. This is all just light hearted fun and games, and should be experienced by everyone.
Also, this is the second year in a row that I've gotten total ROCKSTAR parking for this event, also for free. Simply amazing.
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I'd say Bri is a bigger fan for sure but I liked it :) They had some bomb artichokes though! It's like the Renaissance faire in the sense that you should wear a costume to it because it just makes it a more enjoyable experience. Yay for free things to do in this economy!
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This was awesome and ambitious and fun. My three year old is a pirate fanatic and my other two kids wouldn't complain if it were a rainy day and all that TCM was showing was the three "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies. Having said that, the fam made the 50-mile trek to beautiful bayside Vallejo for what was either going to be a good time or a "what the hell was that all about" experience. We got there, drove around for a bit to find parking (albeit free) and walked to the festival. Everywhere you looked there were people adorned in pirate garb making the non-pirate-dressed Joe and Jane Schmo (i.e. my wife and me) feel woefully inadequate. The kids however, brought the eye patches and pirate hats and hooked hands and fit right in. The entertainment is top notch pirate entertainment and they even have pirate ships sail by on the hour through the Mare Island straights. The lines for food and ale were typical festival long, so we focused more on checking out the booty and gift stands, all of which were great. People tell me that this festival is getting bigger and more popular by the year, so don't be surprised if in the future it moves to Treasure Island or a larger venue to accomodate the inevitable throngs. Good times. We'll be back next year! Aaaargh!
first time i went ws last year and learned to fence and had so much fun! cant wait for it this year
What could be more fun than spending the afternoon amongst crazed,drunken pirates ? Impressive garb was worn by most folks and for those of us who were pirate deprived in our wardrobe, plenty of opportunities to buy that perfect outfit. I was very impressed by the craftsmen who made all the swashbuckling accessories. No generic manufactured stuff here ! Can't wait to go again next year.
