Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest

09/30/2026

Ahoy Mateys! We arr thrilled to share breaking news about next year’s Buckeye Lake Pirate Fests in May AND September.

A hearty thanks from the depths of the Ocean to the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette for the fantastic article — and an extra shoutout to the Local Newsbreak for sharing it publicly!

Read all about it here:
https://local.newsbreak.com/buckeye-lake-oh/4914393629003-more-pirate-fun-planned-as-buckeye-lake-festival-grows-in-2027

Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest is expanding its 2027 lineup with a spring kickoff celebration and a new five-day September event that will bring pirate-themed ac

09/19/2026

Ahoy Mateys! Avast — it’s Talk Like a Pirate Day, and we celebrated early with a wonderful pirate chat featuring Amy Juravich, Host and Executive Producer for All Sides on WOSU Public Media (NPR Affiliate).

We even shared a sneak peek of next year’s Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest! More information was posted earlier today on our page.

It was a fantastic conversation, and we’re excited to keep the pirate spirit sailing strong across Buckeye Lake. Starting at 35:50 https://www.wosu.org/show/all-sides/2026-09-17/fascinating-ohio-a-cancer-fundraiser-papermaking-artist-and-a-pirate-festival-director

All Sides is such a great program — you can listen on 89.7 NPR News. It’s WOSU Public Media’s daily news program that dives deep into issues important to Central Ohio. Tune in live weekdays from 10am to Noon, repeating 8pm to 10pm, and find All Sides wherever you get your podcasts. With Captain Kelly Collins and skippercharlie and the Buckeye Lake Pirates.

09/19/2026

🎉🏴‍☠️ BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2027! 🏴‍☠️🎉

Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest is returning next year with TWO huge Pirate celebrations as we head into our 4th year of lake wide adventure!

🌊 MAY 22, 2027 – WAKE THE LAKE
Kick off the season with a one day, all around the lake Pirate Party! 📍 Pirate activity locations announced throughout the day 🍔 Food & drink specials 🏴‍☠️ Retail discounts & Pirate sales 🚤 Costumed Pirates roaming land AND sea Buckeye Lake will be PACKED with Pirate energy from sunrise to sunset!

⚓ SEPTEMBER 8–12, 2027 – ROCK THE DOCK: 5 DAY PIRATE FEST!
We’re expanding Pirate Fest into a full week of fun! 🎩 Wednesday: Pirate Hat Making Class 🏍️ Thursday: Pirate Bike Night 🎶 Fri–Sun: Pirate bands, costume contests, Renaissance market, kids’ buccaneer activities & more 🏴‍☠️ Businesses will transform into Pirate outposts with nautical décor and flags flying everywhere 🌅 Costumed Pirates will be seen all around the Buckeye Lake area—on land, on docks, and out on the water.

💬 From the Organizers: “Each year, Pirate Fest grows because our community embraces the fun, the creativity, and the spirit of adventure. In 2027, we’re giving Buckeye Lake even more ways to celebrate the Pirate life—from spring through fall!”

🔥 Mark your calendars now.
🔥 Invite your crew.
🔥 Get ready for the biggest Pirate year yet at Buckeye Lake!

09/09/2026

We received word yesterday that Stan has passed away from his injuries. We are so saddened. Thank you for your prayers, his family and friends are deeply hurting.

I met Big Stan Knox a couple years ago and I found him to be a great guy willing to help where needed. He had big plans for a campground on his property and we talked about the business side of operating a campground (I used to own a bar and a campground back in the 80’s). I really enjoyed our conversations and was excited about his plans for his business.

Last year I approached him at his bar and started talking about Pirate Fest. I told him we were looking for a location to hold our show. I described our event and what we wanted to accomplish. Stan liked what we were doing and offered the use of his property to hold our fest. We had many meetings after that and each time I would tell him about another event we would like to add to Pirate Fest and he would say “Kelly I don’t care what you want to do, I’m easy to work with and you can do whatever you want”.

Stan enjoyed life and helping people. He had so many friends and his family was involved in his businesses and supported him. This will be a tragic loss to the community, he will be missed by so many….

07/21/2026

Not 1, but 2 Pirate adventures in Northwest Ohio this weekend just 25 minutes apart! Pirate crews will be sailing in from Ohio and surrounding states for a Pirate Parlay! Make your plans now to visit both unique shows offering Treasure Hunts, Entertainment, Market Vendors and Tasty Food Trucks.

Port Clinton Pirate Fest – July 24-26, Port Clinton Ohio, on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie. It’s a Pirate Fest with a splash of Renaissance. Vendor Marketplace, Live Shows, Pirate Bands, Buried Treasure, Mermaids and more.

OHIO Pirate CON – July 24-26, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, Fremont Ohio. Enjoy an airconditioned Indoor Vendor Marketplace, Live Shows, Pirate Bands, Treasure Hunts, Camp sites, Kayak adventures, Contests and more.

Follow the links in this post for more information and get out and support being a Pirate! Hope to see you there me Matey's, we'll be at both shows!

07/16/2026

Here's a first, two Pirate adventures in Northwest Ohio the same weekend just 25 minutes apart! Make your plans now to visit both unique shows offering entertainment, market vendors and food trucks.

OHIO Pirate CON – July 24-26, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, Fremont Ohio. Enjoy an airconditioned Indoor Vendor Marketplace, Live Shows, Pirate Bands, Treasure Hunts, Camp sites, Kayak adventures, Contests and more.

Port Clinton Pirate Fest – July 24-26, Port Clinton Ohio, on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie. It’s a Pirate Fest with a splash of Renaissance. Vendor Marketplace, Live Shows, Pirate Bands, Buried Treasure, Mermaids and more!

Follow the links in this post for more information and get out and support being a Pirate! Hope to see you there me Matey's, we'll be at both shows!

07/08/2026

Summer is on with more opportunities for Pirates to gather in Ohio and celebrate being a Pirate! We have two Pirate Events happening in Northwest Ohio the last weekend in July and they are just 20 minutes apart. Make your plans now to visit both unique shows offering entertainment, market vendors and food trucks.

OHIO Pirate CON – July 24-26, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, Fremont Ohio. Enjoy an airconditioned Indoor Vendor Marketplace, Live Shows, Pirate Bands, Treasure Hunts, Camp sites, Contests and more.

Port Clinton Pirate Fest – July 24-26, Port Clinton Ohio, on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie. It’s a Pirate Fest with a splash of Renaissance. Vendor Marketplace, Live Shows, Pirate Bands, Mermaids and more!

Follow the links in this post for more information and get out and support being a Pirate! This is a first in the industry, a chance to see two distinct Pirate shows just minutes apart.

06/19/2026

The Put-in-Bay Pyrate Fest is coming up next weekend. Crazy Pirates on an island, how cool is that!!! Join the fun matey's.

06/04/2026

Ahoy mateys! The Pirate Fest Recap newsletter has dropped — and you won’t want to miss it. Huge thanks to everyone who made this year’s adventure unforgettable.



https://conta.cc/4x8hgqr

Email from Buckeye Events Thank you for making Pirate Fest a Success Pirate Fest 2026 Recap Thank you for making the Festival a Success! Fan Newsletter #6 June 4, 2026 The 2026 Buckeye Lake Pirate F

05/23/2026

The Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest is over, but the season is just getting started with more opportunities for Pirates to gather in Ohio and celebrate being a Pirate! Here’s a list of activities for our rapidly expanding base of Pirates over the next couple of months:

Brews Cruise, Black Flag Rising – Sat June 13, depart from Sandusky, Ohio on the Goodtime 1 for a voyage to Kelley’s Island with the The Modern Day Pirates!

Put-in-Bay Pyrate Fest – June 26-28, Put-in-Bay, Ohio, located on an island 7 miles offshore in Lake Erie, yes, it’s a Pirate Fest on an island! Highlights include: a Vendor Marketplace, Black Powder & Cannons Demos, Live Shows, Costume Contests, Mermaids and more.

OHIO Pirate CON – July 24-26, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, Fremont Ohio. Enjoy an airconditioned Indoor Vendor Marketplace, Live Shows, Pirate Bands, Treasure Hunts, Camp sites, Contests and more.

Port Clinton Pirate Fest – July 24-26, Port Clinton Ohio, on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie. It’s a Pirate Fest with a splash of Renaissance. Vendor Marketplace, Live Shows, Pirate Bands, Mermaids and more!

See the links in this post for more information and get out and support being a Pirate!