AHOY me hearties! Pirates are preparing to invade Conwy during the Coronation weekend!
The Original Conwy Pirate Festival will be sailing back to the walled town for a weekend of mayhem during Sunday, May 7 and Monday, May 8.
Organisers are expecting thousands to attend and are hoping for a record year.
Rodney Davies, one of the organisers who plays Captain Davies, said: "Excitement is mounting as the weekend approaches. Pirate clothing is being made, swords and pistols are being made ready and cleaned for this amazing community family event.
"I am playing Captain Davies, the pirate that has buried his treasure in Old Conwy town one stormy night. I hid it from the revenue men who were about to capture me, hence the 'pirate attack' to retrieve it before the revenue men/soldiers find it.
"We have run a series of short film pieces on social media where we went around Conwy at night burying treasure. Each shop that helped to sponsor the event has been included to help give people clues."
Toby Tunstall, who has run and built the festival up over many years, has retired but is still acting as main consultant.
The main organisers of this year's event are Russel Erwood and Kim Edmunds, members of the Chamber of Trade in Conwy. They are supported by Jon and Joy Servaes who have created and made wooden pirate games including a new pirate ship that will be firing at the quayside with the main pirate ship the - Velma.
"This event is run by local people for the benefit of the local community and the many visitors from around the UK and world who visit medieval Conwy," Mr Davies said.
"That is why the festival is free to come too, and we keep all the games and experiences at just £1.
"This year we have new games such as the children's pirate duck hunt.
"Children have made these lovely pirate ducks which will be hidden in shop windows and placed around town for everyone to seek out and if they find them all, and complete the duck hunt form, they win pirate treasure.
"We have also made a pirate treasure map of Conwy and surrounding area. This shows all the houses and places the 'dastardly pirates' could have hidden treasure chests.
"We also have a more cryptic adult treasure hunt for those wanting to enjoy the medieval sites of Conwy.
"We have the 'world’s most famous pirate musician and entertainer' - Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers coming from the USA to perform as part of his Great British tour 2023.
RELATED STORIES
"Tom is the leading pirate musician and entertainer in America and we are so excited that he will be performing on both days around the town.
"There is loads of live entertainment which includes the Port Sunlight Sea Dogs, morris dancing and many other amazing performers.
"We also have the famous pirate barrel and keg racing on the quayside."
On both days, the pirate market opens at 10am on the Quayside.
Mr Davies said: "The main pirate attack is at 1pm and starts on the quayside and goes back into the castle. This year we have even more soldiers and militia defending the castle and town so it really will be a spectacle not to be missed."
NEWSLETTER
Get the latest stories from the Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Llandudno area sent straight to your inbox by signing up here
The pirate festival has been running for more than 10 years.
"This is now one of the most successful and biggest in the UK," Mr Davies said.
"This is my second year only of being a pirate, helping out and running the treasure hunts and playing Captain Davies for the storyline.
"I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of it and that will continue as long people don’t find my buried treasure!"
Asked about the event clashing with the Coronation weekend celebrations, Mr Davies said: "This festival compliments the Coronation, as people will probably watch the Coronation on television in their homes on the Saturday, and then will want to get the family outside in the fresh air having fun at this amazing community event in Medieval Conwy."
Visitors should bring £1 coins to the event.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here