By Liz Mitchell
Old Baldy is North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse and an impressive setting for National Lighthouse Day, a historical observance August 6-8.
Congress approved an act for the establishment and support of lighthouses, beacons, buoys and public piers on August 7, 1789. On the 200th anniversary of the signing of the act and the commissioning of the first federal lighthouse, National Lighthouse Day was born.
Brunswick Islands' Bald Head Island has a rich history of pirates, so the fitting theme of the annual celebration revolves around The Pirates Are Coming.
Pirate re-enactors will present one of the East Coast’s premier programs, and families will find something for every age, from educational presentations to costume contests and an island-wide treasure hunt. The weekend will include fun, food, games, magic, drama and music. Check out the Rusty Cutlass Band for nautical tunes and pirate songs, or meet Blackbeard’s Crew for a living history performance representing seafaring life from the 17th and 18th centuries. Meet Captain Horatio Sinbad who calls himself a modern-day swashbuckler and lives in his homeport of Beaufort, N.C., aboard the boat he built. Author Kevin Duffus, magician Tim Sonefelt and pirate artist Michael Noles also will be featured with their special versions of pirate history and lore.
The Old Baldy Foundation sponsors the weekend event for entertainment, education and especially to raise funds for maintenance and repairs such as new windows in the lantern room. For event schedules and ticket information, call 910-457-7481 or visit
oldbaldy.org. We would love to see you here!