The in-town areas of Damariscotta and Newcastle should be forewarned: Buccaneers will be invading during the Pirate Rendezvous, coming on Saturday, June 22. Fortunately for the Twin Villages, these buccaneers won't be of the bloodthirsty variety, opting instead to accept trinkets and treats from Main Street businesses during the Kid Pirates Costume Parade.

Children and their parents are invited to join the fun, at no cost or requirement for prior registration, with the parade beginning at 11 a.m. from the Riverside Bazaar at Schooner Landing in Damariscotta. Bags for the trinkets and treats will be provided by Renys.

Parents will find that costuming their little pirates can be as easy as cutting the lower legs off a pair of old pants, cutting the lower sleeves off an old shirt, and using a strip of cloth wrapped around the waist as a sash or belt. Store bought pirate accessories can often be found at Renys, S. Fernald's Country Store, and Puffin's Nest; all located in town. Those looking for pirate-like clothing may want to check Mexicali Blues on Route 1 in Newcastle.

The Pirate Bazaar, opening at 9 a.m., will include children’s activities and games, including the old favorite “Broadside” bean bag toss and a new bouncy house fashioned as a fortress. A popcorn machine will also be there to keep the wee pirates well nourished.

The event will culminate when the little buccaneers march down the sidewalks of in-town Damariscotta and Newcastle during the Kid Pirates Costume Parade beginning at 11 a.m.
Using sidewalks, the invading freebooters will circle the in town area, seeking plunder from local businesses in the form of trinkets or treats. In-town businesses will find participation can be done easily and with no entry fee. All they need is 75 to 100 trinkets or treats to hand out to the children as they pass their business between 11 a.m. and noon.

The children will not enter storefronts, so participating business people will need to be on the sidewalk on Main Street ready to hand out trinkets or treats. For businesses that don’t have a Main Street storefront, participation is still easy. They can bring their trinkets or treats to Main Street during the sidewalk parade and find a place where they can hand out their gifts.

Good items to consider for trinkets or treats include small toys or jewelry, individually wrapped treats, or coupons so that the children and their parents have a reason to return to the business.

Upon the return to Schooner Landing, a team of judges will be waiting to make awards for first, second and third place in the Kid Pirates Costume Contest. The judges will also have the opportunity to create additional categories as they see fit. The event should wrap up by 1 p.m.

The Pirate Rendezvous will be produced by, and benefit, Blessings in a Backpack, a 501(c)3 program that sends food home to eligible children at Jefferson Village School on weekends during the 38 weeks of the school year. Sally Lobkowicz and Greg Latimer, who developed the event beginning in 2008, have volunteered to assist in production and operations, as well as donating the use of games, activities and decorations.

Schooner Landing is hosting the event, with Renys providing sponsorship support, and The Lincoln County News assisting with publicity. Chapman and Chapman Insurance allowed their Main Street window to be used for a promotional display.

For more information on the Pirate Rendezvous contact Judi Olson of Blessings in a Backpack at 207-242-9300.