The Pirates are on the horizon, cutlasses glinting under the Caribbean sun. The scurvy dogs, so familiar to these shores, are set on returning for a week of family fun.

Yes, Pirates Week National Festival will be held again, between 11 and 21 November - and Pirates Week it will stay.

“It will be a fun-packed 11 days for the whole family, whether they are residents or tourists,” said Premier McKeeva Bush.

The famous shindig will have a brand new look, too, having been art directed by Cayman Free Press under the watchful eye of marketing supervisor Anne Mason with help from Cayman Free Press designers Camille Henry and Kelly Imren.

“The new branding is a more modern and contemporary reflection of the direction that the Pirates Week Committee is steering the festival and heritage days,” said the premier.

Bernie Bush of the Pirates Week Committee said that 2010 marks the 33rd year of the festival, which he described as an inclusive one, where everyone could share their love of Cayman.

“We have a wide spectrum of nationalities here and we want everyone to be a part of Pirates Week,” he said.

Heritage days

Pirates Week is a major draw for tourists, who travel from far and wide to get involved and it is also a vitally important part of highlighting the quality, skill and magic of the various districts of Cayman. The Heritage Days will concentrate on each district, one by one, presenting local crafts, food, history and entertainment but with an exciting new outlook that is borne on a wave of youth and new ideas.

“This year’s theme is the past, the present and the future, blending everything that came together to make Cayman the place it is today, whilst speculating as to what is yet to come.

“As usual, there will be Heritage Days throughout each district, but this year a huge infusion of energy has taken place with more young people getting deeply involved in order to make the district days exciting, historical and good-natured as ever,” said McKeeva Bush.

The Department of Tourism said that the festival was originally designed to be a draw for visitors during off-season but since then has become so much more.

“Over the years it has grown and with the development of the Heritage Days has been able to share part of the Cayman Islands history and culture with both visitors and residents. The event has transformed to into one of the most anticipated fun activities to do on-island, and adds an extra special element of entertainment and revelry which many of our visitors enjoy participating in.

“In addition to the music, dancing and colourful costumes, this year’s event will include the ever popular ‘mock pirate invasion,’ float parade, district heritage days and a special children’s fun fair day. Most of activities that take place over the festival’s 11 fun-filled days are free and can be enjoyed by all,” said Acting Director of Tourism, Shomari Scott.

Greater heights

Anne Mason said that the Caymanian Compass was once again very excited to be coming on board and sponsoring Pirates Week National Festival 2010.

“A huge effort and new direction from the Pirates Week committee this year will be driving this festival to greater heights. We are delighted to be presenting a festival which brings together family fun and a celebration of the heritage of the Cayman Islands.

“From the world-famous landing of the pirates to the delicious food and the street parade Pirates Week is always a treat for all ages. We are also excited about the Heritage Days and the new website that will be going live in July. We will also be helping Pirates Week with running a great competition this September so don’t forget to look out for this in your Caymanian Compass or online under competitions at caycompass.com.

“We encourage all our readers to really get behind this festival this year and make it the best yet!,” said Ms Mason.

Pirates in the modern age have no need to rely on semaphore. Far from it - the Pirates Week website will be going fully live in mid-to-late July. There’s already a lively Facebook page - Cayman Islands Pirates Week Festival so please become a fan. The Twitter page is www.twitter.com/cipiratesweek and the tweets are already flowing faster than a flagon of fine grog on the Cap’n’s birthday.

Mighty strides

The Pirates Week committee has made great strides in making Pirates Week bigger and better this year. This mighty effort is ongoing with companies on and off island rushing to get involved as sponsors and supporters. The committee is urging interested sponsors to get in touch to take things up to yet another level. The links between local businesses and Pirates Week are a vital part of the yearly bash and everyone is encouraged to get involved. For more information on sponsorship email pat@candw.ky.

One of the sponsors, Radio Cayman, plans on broadcasting the parade again live as it has done for many years and the station will also broadcast the annual song competition that is to take place, said Jay Erhart of the radio station.

Event sponsors of Pirates Week National Festival 2010 are Digicel.