Bands of pirates and other ne’er do wells will be roaming the streets of Bowers this weekend for the third annual Buccaneer Bash. The fun kicks off with a pub crawl tonight and continues through Sunday afternoon. (Submitted photo by Town of Bowers)[/caption]

BOWERS — Pirates will invade Bowers this Memorial Day weekend as the third annual Buccaneer Bash brings fun, food and music to the downtown area.

“It started because we found out that there used to actually be pirates in Bowers and we thought a festival would be a good opportunity to educate the public and have fun with a very family-friendly community event,” said Judy Martin, organizer of the Bash.

The Bash kicks off tonight with a new addition to the schedule, a Pub Crawl from 6 to 10. Hubbard Avenue will be lined with beer, wine and spirits provided by Fordham & Dominion, 3rd Wave Brewing, Mispillion River Brewery, Harvest Ridge Winery and Painted Stave Distillery.

Food vendors also will be on site while The Brigands, Pirates for Sale and Sea Dogs perform live. Admission to the Pub Crawl is free and drink tickets are $30 for six.

Saturday’s events will kick off with a breakfast at the Bowers Fire Hall for $7 from 8 to 10 a.m. followed by the opening of the day’s festivities at 10 a.m. along Clifton Cubbage Road.

While food vendors, craftsmen, a bouncy house and a rock wall occupy the road, a pirate encampment, cannons and sword fights will be set up on the beach and in the park.

All of the pirate displays are interactive, providing a good opportunity for photos, especially on the 35-foot pirate ship.

“The pirates should be a lot of fun,” Ms. Martin said. “They will be in full costume and have a running skit going on all weekend so it will definitely be entertaining.”

Other highlights on Saturday are the Mutt Strut, a dog parade sponsored by the First State Animal Center and SPCA at 11:30 a.m., a Burgers-n-Buns hamburger eating competition at noon and the grand re-opening of the Bowers Beach Maritime Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday’s outdoor activities start at 10 a.m. and will wrap up around 6 p.m.

But the fun doesn’t end on Saturday; the Bash will re-start at 10 a.m. Sunday with vendors set up along Clifton Cubbage Road and pirates still occupying the beach and park.

At 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., The Captain’s Lady will be taking short cruises, open to all attendees and kids will have the chance to show off their pirate attire in a costume contest at 2 p.m.

“It’s just going to be a great family-friendly event with something for everyone to enjoy,” Ms. Martin said.

Admission to the Bash is free.