Blackeard Festival

The 11th annual Hampton Blackbeard Festival is over and all have had a chance to rest. To begin, we can't thank our members and their patient families for the turn out this weekend.

Now onto the festival! Many arrived Thursday to begin setting up the camp and the custom house for its completed debut in Hampton. Several of us headed over to the American Theater where we were educational background for the Hampton 400 movie premier of the citys history. Unfortunately, we did not have time to watch the movie as we needed to be back across town for the Annual Pirates Ball.
Friday morning found eight intrepid rowers on board the Schallope "Explorer" rowing from Bluewater Marine Center to the Hampton Waterfront. Then onto finishing set up. At noon the festival opened with John Glass portraying Richard Fitz Williams, the Customs Officer, giving a brief history of the commerce and trade of Hampton in front of the Custom House. Right around the corner barrels could be seen being unloaded from the Kalmar Nykel which were then rolled up the ramp to be checked in as cargo. The rest of the day was spend providing educational living history programming by many of the local and visiting living historians.
Saturday we awoke to more heat and a full day of living history. Our members partially staffed two camps, the CSF tent, Snakes merchandising tent, a 17 piece gun battery, worked two sea battles on two separate ships! A tall order, but easily accomplished by dedicated volunteers.
Sunday.... one more day to go, we can make it! More volunteers showed who rotated between the days and we continued on. Dedicated to living history and education, Sunday is our day to put our educational programs out for all to see. While we had or normal compliment of weapons and tactics, navigation and seamanship, we added the custom house to the trade and commerce and a rope walk to the rigging area. Both additions were well received by the visitors.
Thanks again to our many volunteers who came out and we hope that you our friends and supporters had asa much fun as we did!