Celebrating Pirates Week In Cayman Islands

Do you want to have a unique vacation experience?

Then, the Pirates Week in Cayman Islands is what you are looking for. It may sound bad and crazy but this actually is good and fun.

This started in 1977 by Jim Bodden, the Minister of Tourism. His purpose was not to celebrate the actual pirate history that the islands have but to increase tourism during the low season. The event has grown in to a major one with the presence of music, street dances, costumes, games, food and drink, Kids’ Day, a glittering parade, sports events, Heritage Days, fireworks, and most importantly a pirate invasion of the islands’ capital.

Now, it is time for you to practice your pirate lines and personality and visit the islands during “Pirates Week”.

This is celebrated every year in late October or November. The celebration lasts for about 10-11 days. The celebration also kicks off the winter tourist season. In these days, you should be prepared for days and nights of pirate parades, costume contests, music, fireworks, sports competitions, and craft fairs.

The week starts with a mock pirate landing by bands of rowdy pirates who arrest the Governor in George Town Harbor. This is followed by a float parade of colorful costumes and local steel drum bands. In the evening, the roads are closed in George Town as the whole Island is yours to party all night long. You can enjoy dancing under the stars to locals and guest bands. You can also feast on the local food on offer. This event is really something you would not want to miss.

Each day during the week, a district heritage day is hosted by the districts of West Bay, Bodden Town, East End, Northside, and George Town. These districts take turns in hosting the event. These days feature local skills and crafts on show as well as a plentiful feast and an evening of live music.

You will end the Pirates Week with a “Trial of the Pirates” on the final Saturday. You will also enjoy the Street Dance and fireworks downtown. All of these are done in commemoration of the Islands’ early days. The Cayman Islands were plague by bands of pirates who stopped to have some fun and to bury their treasure.

If you worry that you might be left behind on your visit during the Pirates Week, you do not need to.

Here are some of pirates’ words that you can use:

“Oi!” means “Ahoy!”,

“Avast” means “Stop!” ,

“Aye” is “Yes”, “Booty” means treasure,

“Grog” is a pirate’s favorite drink,

“Landlubber” is a slang for “land-lover” which means someone who is not used to life on board a ship,

“Lass” is a woman,

“Scurvy dog!” is an insult,

“thar” is the opposite of “here”, and

“yo-ho-ho” is a pirate’s laugh.

Pirates Week is something unique that you can only see and experience in Cayman Islands. Celebrating this holiday will make your vacation worthy as it can provide you with a lot of fun and new experiences.