returns to Esquimalt this weekend with the infamous wake-up call kicking off the festivities for this time-tested tradition, running May 11 to 13.
Bullen Park plays host to the activities including a pancake breakfast, live music, fighting demonstrations and the midway, while the parade will make its way down Esquimalt Road starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Buccaneer Days harkens back to 1966 when the Township put their own spin on May Day celebrations by turning it into a pirate party.
Now decades later, itB次元官网网址檚 an important gathering of the community, but also a fundraiser for various programs, says Sandy Rozon, secretary of the festivalB次元官网网址檚 committee.
B次元官网网址淥ur money goes to help young people,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭his year we donated to the Esquimalt Atom Smashers, who were competing in the [U.S.], and we donated to the fund for Esquimalt HighB次元官网网址檚 new bus.B次元官网网址�
Bob McKie, chair of the Buccaneer committee, has been helping throw the annual party for over 30 years and agrees itB次元官网网址檚 an important tradition for the naval community.
New this year is Blood and Iron, a group from the western martial arts school who will perform a sword fighting demonstration. And, the pie plate skydiving contest promises to be entertaining this year, with more parachuters and a bigger plane.
B次元官网网址淭hey put on a good show,B次元官网网址� McKie says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a challenge for them, but for us itB次元官网网址檚 fun to watch.B次元官网网址�
As for the early morning run to signal the start of the festivities, affectionately called the B次元官网网址淲akey Wakey,B次元官网网址� McKie says in years past heB次元官网网址檚 had kids request their name be called out as the caravan travels through their streets. Others arenB次元官网网址檛 so keen.
B次元官网网址淚 still get the odd phone call from people saying theyB次元官网网址檙e going to sue the municipality,B次元官网网址� he chuckles. B次元官网网址淎ll I say is, welcome to Esquimalt.B次元官网网址�
