The 15^th annual Pirates on the Pungo, set for May 16-18, will give an in-depth account of the life of pirates as well as host several activities for sea dogs and land-lubbers alike. The event will also take place at a new venue, the downtown waterfront and town docks in Belhaven.

Diana Lambeth, chairman of Pirates on the Pungo, now heads the annual event, originally started to raise money for the Pungo District Hospital Foundation.

“Last year, we decided it was a wonderful event and there were many organizations and things that we could use the money for, here in Belhaven, to help promote the area and improve the economy,” said Lambeth.

According to Lambeth, the committee for this year’s event decided to distribute the funds to the Belhaven Downtown Main Street lights project, a project to enhance the appearance of Belhaven’s downtown area, and the Beaufort Community Cares Fund, which supports activities at two local nursing homes.

“The purpose behind that is to improve the looks of the downtown area so we can draw more folks to the area,” Lambeth said. “Our hope is to build gardens at each of the facilities so that the people living there can get outside and enjoy the outdoors.”

According to Lambeth, the event, in years past, has concentrated on being a sailing regatta. The event draws boaters — from dingy boats to keel boats — all up and down the east coast. Last year, a fleet of about 45 boats graced the Pungo River for the event.

This year, the committee incorporated several additional activities to enhance the appeal of Pirates on the Pungo. Friday night will feature captain registration, reception and a bon fire. Most of the shore side activities will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

According to Lambeth, people will have an opportunity to purchase passes, costing $40, to enjoy additional shore side activities.

“The passes will include two breakfasts, one on Saturday, one on Sunday, the captain’s reception on Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the Buccanner Bash at the Wilkinson Center, featuring the Main Event Band,” Lambeth said.

The rest of the shore side activities are free to the public. On Sunday, there will be a continuation of the regatta in which boaters will be out on the water.

“The committee was trying to figure out how we could incorporate more of the town of Belhaven in other areas, into this year’s regatta,” Lambeth said.

According to Lambeth, children, six to 12 years old will have the opportunity to attend a Scalawag school, in which Pirate Mike Mealey of New Bern, will teach children how to talk and act like pirates; Capt. Nitrate Blang will simulate a pirate encampment and give demonstrations of shooting black powder guns and cannons; and the Motley Tones, a group of singers will be performing sea chants and pirate songs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be face painting for kids, a cornhole toss and a pirate parade at 1 p.m. Participants are asked to come dressed like pirates. In addition, Captain Horatio Sinbad will be coming with his pirate ship, the Mecca II, and Captain Benn Bunn will be bringing his 65-foot skipjack, the Ada Mae, built in Rose Bay in 1915. It is the last of the working skipjacks built in the bay.

“The Ada Mae and the Mecca II will be pirating the waters of Pantego Creek and the Pungo River, and firing cannons and getting into fights and having a jolly old time,” Lambeth said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.PiratesOnPungo.org or the Tavern at Jack’s Neck.