Saturday, April 12, 2008

PirateFest kicked off with an ArtWalk on Friday and will continue today with the 25th annual Purple/Gold Pigskin Pigout and other activities.

Blackbeard's Marketplace, at First and Evans streets, will be full of handmade crafts, manufactured goods and food galore. But beware. A sword fight is sure to break out at some time and place during the day. Roving pirate entertainers will share their music, storytelling, sword-play and dress.

A parade of pirates will be held at 11 a.m. at the corner of Fifth and Evans streets and will follow the Wake & District Pipe Band along Evans Street to the Town Common. A pirate costume contest will be held at 1:20 p.m. at the Buccaneer Bash main stage, corner of Fourth and Evans streets. Prizes will be awarded to the top three pirates, as determined by the judges.

There will be a Pirate Alumni 5K and 1-mile Fun Run at 9 a.m. beginning at Reade Circle. The entry fee is $25 and registration will be held from 7:30-8:30 a.m.

The Uptown Greenville Arts Festival will feature artists, arts organizations and Uptown Greenville restaurants. Fine arts and crafts will be for sale and on display along Evans Street between Fifth and First streets from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Area arts organizations will also have booths, as well as demonstrations and children's arts activities. There will be live music throughout, as well as a beer and wine garden.

Historical bus tours led by local artist and historian Roger Kammerer will be held at 1 and 3 p.m., each lasting about one hour and leaving from the corner of Fifth and Evans streets.

Celebrate diversity at the International Festival on the Town Common all day Saturday, featuring music, food and attractions from nations around the world.

A large cultural pavilion will feature costumes, games and crafts from the native lands of many people who call Greenville home.

And the 25th annual Pigskin Pig-Out will be held at ECU's Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, offering live entertainment, southern barbecue, carnival rides, fireworks and the Pirate's spring football game at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.

Free shuttle service will be provided from noon to 6 p.m. today from the Pigskin Pig-Out to downtown Greenville. Stops include: the Town Common at First and Cotanche streets; Fifth and Evans streets; Gold Lot outside Minges; and the Belk Building. Also, Greenville Area Transit (GREAT) is offering a Free Ride Day for all routes.