Belhaven once again hosts Pirates on the Pungo Regatta on May 20-22. Attracted by Belhaven’s picturesque waterfront community, participants from Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Canada come to enjoy shoreside activities, sailboat and dinghy racing and the Buccaneer Bash dinner/dance.

Volunteers from the Belhaven Yacht Club and the River Rat Yacht Club organize the regatta each year to benefit the Pungo District Hospital Foundation.

The foundation’s mission is to support Pungo District Hospital, a nonprofit facility located in Belhaven. Carolyn Ricks, foundation president, “We’re very grateful to the yacht clubs for organizing the regatta for us.”

She said that many local businesses and individuals are either sponsors or donate merchandise and services to ensure the success of the event.

“Pungo District Hospital means a lot to this area. The community really gets behind anything that supports the hospital,” she said.

Belhaven Yacht Club member Rick Brass, who chairs the regatta committee, said organizers have been pleased with the response each year.

“We’ve had great participation, and not just in the sailing community. Pirates on the Pungo was designed to offer something for everyone, so we attract just as many non-sailors as sailors,” he said. “Our real goal is to support the hospital. We feel the best way to do that is to make sure everybody has a good time.”

Brass noted that Pirates on the Pungo is run by volunteers, so the regatta doesn’t have any administrative costs.

“All proceeds go directly to Pungo District Hospital Foundation, and all donations are tax-deductible,” he said.

Brass said that with the purchase of a $35 shoreside pass, participants may attend all land-based activities.

“It’s a great deal, especially when you consider that beer, wine and soft drinks are included,” Brass said.

On May 20, the Pungo District Hospital Foundation holds a reception for regatta captains.

Brass said, “They really know how to put on a spread.”

Also included is a breakfast buffet prepared by yacht-club volunteer, a happy hour and the Buccaneer Bash dinner/dance May 21, a continental breakfast provided by the foundation May 22.

“The whole town and the sailors turn out for the Buccaneer Bash,” he said. “Everybody likes the seafood buffet by Keyzer Catering and the 360 Degrees Band.”

Sailors in the regatta pay an additional race entry fee of $35 each.

Arden Root, executive director of the foundation, said that in the past four years, Pirates on the Pungo has donated more than $60,000.

She said, “This past year, regatta proceeds have helped us fund a new stress-test system, new beds for the ER, computer systems for several departments and training in the use of new software č the list goes on. We couldn’t do nearly as much for the hospital without the money donated by Pirates on the Pungo.”

For more information, to register and obtain tickets, visit the website at www.PiratesOnPungo.org or call Rick Brass at 252-946-2244.