First it was Cementa, then it was the Bob Marley Festival. Now Kandos residents are set to pull on their eye patches and pick up their swords for the inaugural Kandos Pirate Festival and Buccaneers Bash.
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Pirate King Jon English will make a special guest appearance with his six-piece band at the festival on Saturday, September 19 - International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Festival organisers are asking everyone to pull on their pirate gear, say “arrrgh”, and join in the fun.
“We want to make this a fun and exciting event,” organisers Sue Honeysett and Mary Kavanagh said.
“Talk like a Pirate Day is big in the USA and a few other places but not so much in Australia.
“We think it’s an ideal event to bring people into our town, have fun and celebrate.”
Sue Honeysett and Mary Kavanagh from Kandos Events are asking everyone to put on their pirate gear and celebrate International Talk like a Pirate Day with Jon English at the inaugural Kandos Pirate Festival and Buccaneers Bash on Saturday, September 19.
News of the event has just been released by the Kandos entrepreneurs who earlier this year held their third Bob Marley Festival. Not letting the grass grow under their feet, they have now taken on their biggest venture so far – another Kandos festival and this time featuring an international star.
Negotiations with Jon English came to fruition over the last few days with the thumbs-up by the superstar. He is now keen to come to Kandos with his six- piece band to perform at the Kandos Community Hall during the festival.
English originally made a name for himself in Australia playing Judas in Harry Miller’s Jesus Christ Superstar and in more recent years as the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance. He has also been heavily involved in the “Save the Tassie Devil” appeal.
Both Sue Honeysett and Mary Kavanagh realise the size of the project, with a budget required of well over $15,000 to get him and his group here.
“This is the biggest musical event that Kandos has had for a long time,” they said.
“It’ll be a unique day and it’s sure to make a big impact. We realise that it’s a huge outlay for Kandos Events but the community is already rallying behind us.”
Upon hearing of the proposed event, supporters immediately put their hands up to help raise funds with a trivia night and raffles. There will also be a ticket price of $65 for the evening concert to help cover costs. The concert will include a full show by Jon English and his whole team.
“We want to make this a fun and exciting event. Talk like a Pirate Day is big in the USA and a few other places but not so much in Australia. We think it’s an ideal event to bring people into our town, have fun and celebrate.”
The event will start at midday with stalls and two or more bands at the Kandos green near the railway station. There’ll be games for the kids such as “Walk the Plank” and organisers are encouraging people to put their pirate gear on.
For those who buy a ticket to the evening show, entry to the daytime concert and activities will be included. Entry for those just going to the afternoon concert and activities on the green will be $10.
Ticket sales open on Sunday, May 31 at the 5th Sunday of the Month Markets at the Railway Station green. They will then be available from Down the Track Café, where purchasers will be able to look at the table plan and decide where they want to sit.