The year was 1718. In the bustling port of Hampton Virginia, outbound ships were laden with golden bundles of tobacco headed for England while inbound ships arrived with all the manufactured supplies and luxuries that the Colonists craved to ease their difficult existence. Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, was a notorious pirate who plied the waters of the Atlantic in search of bounty to commandeer. In November that year, Virginia’s Lieutenant Maynard ambushed Blackbeard in a fierce battle in Ocracoke Inlet, killing and beheading the feared pirate. Upon Maynard’s return to Hampton, Blackbeard’s head was placed on a stake at the mouth of the Hampton River to warn other pirates.

In July 2010, Hampton relived the demise of Blackbeard in the 11th annual Blackbeard Festival, complete with full-scale ship replicas in a re-enactment of the historic battle. Tall ships were open for exploration, food and libations were plentiful, and every conceivable pirate memorabilia was available for sale. Little pirates enjoyed visiting Blackbeard’s Pirate Camp and the sprawling street fest culminated in live music and fireworks.

Hampton takes her pirate history seriously and hundreds of land-lubbers, both young and old, were decked out in pirate garb. “Pirate speak” drifted through the throngs, transporting me to a long lost era. It was a beautiful Virgina summer weekend filled with family fun, history, and traditional Chesapeake Bay seafood, all the things I love about my local festival.

This post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competition.