2013 Midlands Pirate festival

[Rowan MacD]

  -NEWS RELEASE-
  "The Region's Pirate Fest Sets Sail"

http://www.midlandspiratefest.com/piratefest/home.html

        The 7th annual MIDLANDS PIRATE FESTIVAL returns to the Bellevue Berry/Pumpkin Ranch on August 24th & 25th. This year the event will add an after-hours tavern sing-along on saturday night from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The daytime festival hours will be 11am to 6pm.
        This unique event will showcase headliner acts from around the Midwest and offer additional activities for children.
         "We want everyone to know that we strive to entertain all age groups with what appeals to them, especially the kids who enjoy our many fantasy pirate characters," notes festival co-producer Ed Schaefer.
        The event focuses on fun and fact with a mix of comedic storybook characters and historic presentations, from actors portraying real pirates to numerous demonstrations and exhibits.
        "Not to be missed will be our new version of the traditional treasure hunt that takes place in our re-themed Pirates Cove Cave," adds Schaefer.
        Some of the outstanding stage performers who come in from all around the Midwest are Crazy Boy Coy of the Kansas City Renaissance Faire, the Bawdy Buccaneers from the Des Moines Renaissance Faire, Lord Drake's Mystic Magic from the Iowa-Minnesota Pirate Fest, and Evangard Improv from their current tour.
        New this year will be such novel acts as The Blue Mermaid (in her water tank), Pirate Crew of the Black Swan (who deck out the ship and even have a cannon shoot), the Doc Johnson Sideshow (with body testing stunts), the Gypsy Woods Whip Troupe (from Kansas City). and Bedouin Star Ethnic Dance.
        Returning by popular request will be Friendly Fire of Des Moines, Mrs. Smee & Tinkerbell from Neverland, the Do Chang Pirates from Omaha, The Banished Misfortunates from Lincoln, and The Horsemen's Story Theater.
        The rousing tavern band Pog Mo Thon from Lincoln will take the Pirate Pub stage on saturday night for the entertainment during the extended hours romp.
        The merchants bazaar and artisan marketplace that is found through-out the Port Royale village is what draws many attendees, who come to the festival just to buy the unusual hand-made goods, craft items and nautical souvenirs.
        Fresh cooked foods and drink libations will be found through-out the grounds with some forty different selections and often requested dishes - from turkey legs to Buds Rootbeer all the way from Illinois.
        Again, this year the grounds are being enhanced to keep in stride with the goal to create a major theme park with permanent buildings and games activity features.
        Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for kids from 3 to 13 with tots free. The two day pass for adults is $15. Parking is free.
        Advanced discounted tickets can now be purchased at OFFUTT Airbase in Bellevue, at Fairy Tale Costumes in Omaha's Crossroads Mall, and at the Penguin Pitstop on North 70th Street in Lincoln. They are $2-off for adults and $1-off for kids. Online purchases can be done via http://midlandspiratefest-es2.eventbrite.com/
        Admission, after 6pm on saturday, is free for the after-hours Pirate Pub sing-along.
        For Midlands Pirate Festival location information go to https://bellevueberryfarm.whhive.com/pirate-festival or call #402-331-5500. For event details go to www.midlandspiratefest.com or contact greg@festint.com   tel. # (641) 357-5177.
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