Saturday, Feb. 29

A pirate invasion of the N.C. Transportation Museum takes place February 29, during Pirate Day!  Visitors are encouraged (but not required) to wear their pirate attire as sword fighting lessons and demonstrations, pirate flag making, pirate life demonstrations, crafts, and a kids’ costume contest will all be available. Train rides will also be offered, but be sure to sign the Pirate Code of Conduct before climbing on board!

Pirate Day! will feature sword fighting demonstrations from two different groups.  The Shadow Players Stage Combat Group, from Raleigh, N.C., portray and recreate the Golden Age of Piracy. With a show that combines comedy with rousing sword fights and education, the group perform at 11am, 1, and 3:15pm, with a weapons discussion at 2:15pm.

The Sword Conservatory, based in Holly Springs, N.C., will provide discussions, the history of maritime combat, and even sword fighting lessons throughout the day.

The Colonial Seaport Foundation, based in Virginia, will show how sailors during the pirate era navigated their ships, traded, lived aboard ships at sea, and more.

Kids will have plenty to experience, just for them, with activities, crafts, and learning stations across the museum’s 60-acre site.

A kids’ pirate costume contest will take place at 11:45am and 2pm in the museum’s Back Shop, with children competing according to age bracket. Those wishing to participate should arrive at the stage area at least 15 minutes ahead of the contest, which will be hosted by Pirate Steve, from the Shadow Players.

In addition to temporary tattoos, face painting, and an opportunity to walk the plank, kids will be able to make a pirate hat, create their own pirate name, and make a pirate flag to take home.

Children will have fun learning about pirate life at activity stations across the site. They will create their own take home bracelet using the same knots used by sailors during the days of pirates.  The coin excavation station will show how pirate treasure has been retrieved from the depths.  A pirate dig will show how archaeologists study what they retrieve.

Train rides will be offered for a 25-minute journey around the museum grounds, available at 10, 11am, Noon, 1:30, and 2:30pm.  Those wishing to board will be offered a chance to sign the Pirate Code of Conduct, with rules about obeying the captain—in this case, the train’s conductor, keeping their weapons clean, and keeping their hands to themselves.

All through the day, families can follow the Pirate Treasure Map and receive a special prize when they have visited all four stops.

Pirate Day! is offered at the museum’s regular rates and includes full access to all museum exhibits.  Admission is only for $6 for adults, $5 for seniors/military, and $4 for children 3-12.  Admission + train is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors/military, and $8 for children 3-12.  Children 2 and under are free.

Full event details and advance ticket purchase can be found at www.nctrans.org