2012 Tybee Island Pirate Festival under way | Events

TYBEE ISLAND, GA (WTOC) - Swashbucklers of all ages will converge on Tybee Island this weekend.

The 8th annual Tybee Island Pirate Festival kicks off Thursday and lasts throughout the weekend. Every year, Tybee Island transforms into a lively pirate village, celebrating the rich seafaring history that defines the Georgia coast with live music, children's activities, a pirate victory parade and much more.

Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil is set to headline this year’s festival. Organizers say the 80's rocker will be the main attraction in a live concert on Oct. 6. Neil will perform a variety of Mötley Crüe hits during his Pirate Festival performance. 

This year's festival will feature a wide range of musical artists, from live entertainment on Friday night by the Eric Culberson Band and Jimmy Buffet cover band A1A, to the Vince Neil concert on Saturday night. 

The festival, now in its eighth year, will also include a Pirate Ball, magicians and fire eaters, Scallywags Costume Contest, Thieves Market, the new Pirate Pub with live music and much more.

The festivities kick off with the coronation at the King and Queen at the Buccaneer Ball at The Crab Shack on Thursday.

“The Tybee Island Pirate Festival offers plenty of world-class entertainment and family-friendly activities at one of the liveliest celebrations along the coast,” said Lindsay Fruchtl in a news release, director of marketing for the Tybee Island Tourism Council. “We invite visitors and locals to get in touch with their inner pirate and escape the ordinary throughout the Columbus Day weekend.”

The 2012 Tybee Island Pirate Festival will run Oct. 4-7. Weekend passes are $22 ans children 12 and under are admitted free of charge.

For a complete schedule of events, to purchase weekend passes in advance or for more festival information, visit www.tybeepiratefest.com or call 912.786.5444.

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