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The 15th annual Bath Fest will return in September of this year after being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

The annual event, which is usually held in mid-May, has been scheduled for Sep. 18, 2021 and will be themed around pirates due to Bath’s history with the fearsome sea travelers and the proximity to National Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is annually held on Sep. 19. 

The main attraction at this year’s event will be the living history exhibit that will feature a group called Blackbeard’s Crew. This group will set up a period-accurate encampment along Bonner’s Point and teach visitors about what life was like for pirates during the 16th and 17th centuries. 

“They’ll have cannons and weapons as well as an encampment where people can learn about what life was like back then. It’ll feature demonstrations on cooking, camping and other necessary skills pirates needed to survive back then,” said Phoebe Wahab, one of the organizers of the event. “Pirate lore is a big part of the history of Bath and people are always very interested to learn about life back then so we try to feature it when we can.”

In addition to Blackbeard’s Crew, the streets around Bonner’s Point will be bustling with vendors with various wares for sale. Food will also be available to purchase through several local civic organizations. Applications for arts and craft vendors are open on the event website. 

The Bonner House will also be incorporated in the celebration, with nonprofit organizations and events for the younger generation occurring in the backyard of the historic home. Artwork from Bath Elementary School students will be on display along the exterior white picket fence of the Bonner House. The front porch will serve as a stage for the event and will feature music from the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association. 

Bath Fest is a free event and will be open to the public. It will occur on Sep. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with activities for attendees of all ages. For more information about the event, visit bathfest.com or the event Facebook page.