Batten down the hatches and prepare to set sail for the third annual Kingston Pirate Festival June 7 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The event is organized by local small business owners, Stacy Patrick of Lucky Star Consignment Clothing and Kristina Sowers of Flora’s Favors. Admission to the festival is free. Visitors are encouraged to come in pirate attire, with prizes awarded for the most creative costumes.

“We’re just the biggest kids around,” laughs Patrick, whose passion for pirate lore and community building helped launch the festival in 2023. “We wanted to create something magical for families while supporting local businesses and artists.”

What began as a modest community gathering has grown significantly over the past three years, with attendance expected to double from last year’s estimated 3,000 visitors, the release says.

“We never imagined it would become this big,” admits Patrick. “But the response has been overwhelming. People come from all over the region now.”

More than 60 vendors will line the festival grounds, offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and artwork to pirate costumes and maritime memorabilia. The organizers have emphasized supporting small, local businesses in their vendor selection.

“The vendor marketplace is really the heart of our festival,” says Sowers. “It showcases the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit of our community.”

The festival’s main deck will feature performances from a lineup of local musicians. Jon Rydeen, Poulsbo-raised frontman of Diamond Star Halo, will headline the afternoon concert. Joining the lineup will be Chad Lyons, Kingston business owner of Lyons Painting, who doubles as the guitar player and vocalist for Porch Dog Prophet. Paige, drummer for The Granny Panties and Poulsbo resident, will also make an appearance, per a news release.

Also performing is Tugboat Bromberg, affectionately known as the “real-life Kitsap pirate.” Bromberg will share authentic pirate shanties while accompanying himself on guitar. The Pirates of Puget Sound, a local historical reenactment group, will be performing live-action role-playing throughout the day. The group plans to engage young festival-goers with pirate games, treasure hunts, and tales of high-seas adventure.

For adult pirates, Toni’s Ponies horse rescue organization will host the festival’s Rum and Beer Garden. All proceeds from beverage sales will support the rescue’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and rehome horses in need, per the release.

“It’s a win-win,” explains Toni Houck, founder of the rescue. “Festival-goers get to enjoy quality local brew by Hood Canal Brewery while contributing to a good cause.”

For more information, visit the Kingston Pirate Festival Facebook page or contact the Kingston Chamber of Commerce.