Outer Banks Pirate Memorial – Remembering Blackbeard & the “Battle of Ocracoke”
Pirates will return to Ocracoke to remember the battle that ended in Blackbeard’s death
On November 22, 1718, two hired merchant sloops manned by 60 Royal Navy sailors from Virginia engaged the notorious pirate Edward Thatch, aka Blackbeard, and his 20 shipmates near Ocracoke Inlet. Following a brief gun battle and hand-to-hand combat lasting fewer than six minutes, 12 pirates were killed, including Blackbeard, and nine men were captured. Eleven of the King’s men were killed…the “Battle of Ocracoke” was born.
The “Battle of Ocracoke” and the death of the notorious pirate Blackbeard will be memorialized on Ocracoke Island at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The memorial event will be held on a soundside sandy beach adjacent to Ocracoke’s Springer’s Point, near the location of the 1718 engagement at Teaches Hole Channel.
More than 50 pirate reenactors, dressed in period attire will assemble at the site for a 45-minute ceremony featuring period music, a newly-composed pirate chantey, an elegy, the floating of a wreath and a 23-gun salute for each of the 23 pirates and King’s sailors who were killed in the battle.
The event has been coordinated and sponsored by Blackbeard’s Crew, a Virginia-based living history performance group, and by Kevin Duffus, a Raleigh, N.C., historian and author of the book, “The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate.”
The public and media are welcome to observe the inaugural Blackbeard Pirate Memorial. Those attending are encouraged to gather at 1 p.m. at Blackbeard’s Lodge in Ocracoke village at 111 Back Road.
Outer Banks Weekend Festivities at Roanoke Festival Park
Clam Chowder Cook-off at Roanoke Island Festival Park Celebrating the Elizabeth II Turning 25
Roanoke Island Festival Park will celebrate the 25th Anniversary Commemoration of the Christening and Launching of Elizabeth II.
The festivities will begin with a program at 10 a.m. at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum and George Washington Creef Park, the site of the original launching of the Elizabeth II. The keynote speaker will be Lisbeth C. Evans, Secretary, N C Department of Cultural Resources. Following the program, a parade, lead by the Guilde of Saint Andrew and Dare County school children, will proceed to Roanoke Island Festival Park where a full day of events are planned including:
· The Clam Jam Chowder Cook-off and the crowning of Queen or King Clam;
· Recognition of pennant coat of arms designed by local school children;
· Cutting and sampling of the 25th anniversary birthday cake;
· Molasses Creek in concert at 2:00 p.m. on the Outdoor Pavilion stage;
· An Elizabeth II Retrospective with Captain Horace Whitfield ( 1982-1987 and 1997-2003) at 3:30 p.m.;
· Children’s activities;
· Period music and dancing;
· Crafts, exhibitory and more!
It will be a free day at Roanoke Island Festival Park.
As one of many commemorative events that day, the Park will be full of pots and pans as local chefs cook up their own version of traditional Outer Banks-style clam chowder in pursuit of the title “King”/“Queen” Clam. The cook-off will be held on the stage of the Outdoor Pavilion with tasting beginning at 11:45. The cost is $5.00 per person for sampling and since the supply is limited, arrive early!
For more information about this event call (252) 475-1500 or visit http://www.roanokeisland.com/.
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