Pirates will be descending on Weymouth soon as a weekend filled with shenanigans is set to get underway.

There will be plenty of pirate related activities to get involved with from Friday, October 6 to Sunday, October 8.

Hardy’s Hophouse on St Thomas Street will be this year’s festival headquarters with plenty of shanty style music coming from the pub.

The award-winning Dorset band The Dolmen will be performing their Celtic rock music throughout the weekend from the pub, along with the Celtic Giants.

Mark Vine, who helps organise the event, said: "Pirates come from all over. We estimated 400 or so came last year but you don’t really know who will turn up until the day.

"Joining the parade will be a Jack Sparrow impersonator, Jax Parrow, who will be interacting with the crowd along the way.

"Anyone can join the pirates on their march through town, with anything from a bandana to full costumes welcome."

This year's Pirate Parade will start from Hardy’s Hophouse at 11am on the Saturday, where all the pirates will gather before setting off through town.

The drum parade will see pirates march up to the Golden Lion before coming down St Mary Street and then back up St Thomas Street. Although, there will likely be a few deviations along the way as the pirates get up to no good.

 

The Belvedere pub will also be putting on its own pirate skullduggery with an ale and cider festival kicking off from noon on the Friday. There will be a host of local Dorset ales for customers to sample as well as a rum tasting session from 2pm on Saturday.

They will also be encouraging visitors to the pub to check out their pirate ship themed bar 'The Pirates Keep' throughout the weekend, with a goth/industrial club night hitting the bar from 8pm till late, also on Saturday.

The Belvedere’s owner, Lyn, said: “We attract a really friendly crowd and everyone likes to mingle, the regulars are all really excited.

“The atmosphere is great fun. It is one of our favourite weekends of the year.”

Nothe Fort is also be taking part in the festivities, hosting a pirate weekend of family-friendly adventure.

There will be a pirate ship for visitors to board as well as the opportunity to pan for gold, walk the plank, play pirate hook hoopla and even fire cannonballs.