By Liz Mitchell
Arrrrr me mateys!
Pirate scalawags will be back on
Baldhead Island in August! Get your tickets now to dine, dance and be entertained. Your kids can go to Scalawag School to learn to walk and talk like a pirate or to art class to get tips from a real pirate artist. It all revolves around our celebration of National Lighthouse Day Aug. 7. This year’s special pirate event will help raise funds for maintenance and repairs to
Old Baldy, which is North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse.
Bald Head Island has a rich history of pirates. One of the most famous was Steed Bonnet, the gentleman pirate who was captured in the mouth of the Cape Fear River in late September 1718. He was taken to Charlestown and hanged Dec. 10, 1718.
Begin this year’s adventure Aug. 6 with a visit to the pirate camp on the Old Baldy Lighthouse grounds and climb the lighthouse for the best-ever view of our beautiful little island. The pirate arrival is free to watch on Aug. 6. The weekend includes an extensive family treasure hunt, a costume contest, a pub night, a booty auction, plenty of music, food and various entertaining activities for all ages, and it closes with a pancake breakfast on Aug. 8.
Tickets for individual events are on sale now and will be limited. For more information or tickets call 910-457-7481 or visit
oldbaldy.org. Bald Head Island is accessible only by private boat or by hourly passenger ferry from Deep Point Marina in Southport.