- May 24th, 2011
- Posted in News
Bladesmith, Music and Sponsors
New for the Pirate Rendezvous – Bladesmith, Music and Sponsors
From the Pirate Rendezvous
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A skilled bladesmith working with steel, hammer, anvil and flame will bring a new sense of history to the Damariscotta River Pirate Rendezvous scheduled for Sat., June 11 in Damariscotta and Newcastle.
Adriaan Gerber of Lamoine, Maine will bring his years of experience in creating edged weapons to add an educational and entertaining venue to the Pirate Bazaar at Schooner Landing Restaurant and Marina.
Gerber will be joined by another new addition to the Pirate Rendezvous – daylong musical entertainment at the Pirate Bazaar on a stage provided by Atlantic Tent Co. of Damariscotta. The stage will feature period music, the kind that will keep pirate toes tapping, and will be under the direction well-known Damariscotta musician Paul Mellyn.
The opening act at 10 a.m. will be maritime music with the Sea Scouts group from Bath. They will be followed by a variety of other musicians through the day until the Pirate Rendezvous ends at 4 p.m. with a Volunteers Reception.
New additions to the Pirate Rendezvous aren’t limited to activities during the event – two new sponsors have stepped up as well. Cheney Insurance and the Newcastle Square Realty have joined the group of Primary Sponsors who provide monetary support to offset the expenses of the Pirate Rendezvous so that more of the funds raised during the event can go to benefit the Lincoln County Family Holiday Wishes food and gift drive.
The Pirate Rendezvous is the primary fundraiser for Lincoln County Family Holiday Wishes, which benefited over 500 children in 2010 with Christmas dinners and gifts. Many area residents are familiar with Family Holiday Wishes through the pink and blue Wish Tags they distribute each year, with each tag representing the hopeful wish of a local child in need.
Other Primary Sponsors for the Pirate Rendezvous include Renys, Ames Supply, Lincoln County Healthcare, Damariscotta Bank & Trust, Mexicali Blues, and the Maine State Aquarium. Many other local businesses are Supporting Sponsors that assist with services and goods; and in-town businesses help out as Participating Sponsors.
Adriaan Gerber at Work: Bladesmith Adriaan Gerber is shown working at his shop in Lemoine, Maine. Gerber will be at the Damariscotta River Pirate Rendezvous on Sat., June 11 creating blades from steel, fire, anvil and hammer at the Pirate Bazaar located at Schooner Landing Restaurant and Marina. (photo courtesy of Adriaan Gerber)
Handmade Sgian Dubhs by Adriaan Gerber. (photo courtesy of Adriaan Gerber)
Bladesmith Adriaan Gerber is well known for his unique and artistic swords, knives, and axes, which may be seen at his website www.adriaangerberknives.com. Since the Pirate Rendezvous draws a mix of children and pirate re-enactors, Gerber should find himself busy answering questions of all kinds while hammering steel into blade at the Pirate Bazaar. Joining him in the area will be an eclectic mix of merchants offering everything from flints for flintlock firearms to (believe it or not) custom peace symbol t-shirts.
Gerber Sword in the Works. (photo courtesy of Adriaan Gerber)
Merchants in the Pirate Bazaar are pre-approved by a group of in-town businesspeople who ensure that vendors are consistent with priorities set by year-round businesses. “Our relationship with in-town businesspeople is what allows us to use this event to benefit Family Holiday Wishes,” said Greg Latimer, co-producer of the Pirate Rendezvous. “We work with them hand in hand to ensure the Pirate Rendezvous is a good day for everyone involved.”
Because of this effort, businesses and restaurants throughout in-town Damariscotta and Newcastle will be in on the piratical fun, with pirate themed specials and décor.
Just up Main St. from the Pirate Bazaar will be the Kid’s Pirate Camp on Water St., where children will be able to enjoy a variety of games. The Kid’s Pirate Camp is sponsored by Colby & Gale with the support of Hillside Collision, New England Building Materials, and game builder Michael Morrison. The Mediterranean Kitchen restaurant lends support as a Participating Sponsor by approving the closure of Water St. for the day.
For information on the Pirate Rendezvous, and great photos from past invasions, check www.PirateRendezvous.com or contact Greg Latimer (the pirate “Scribe”) at 207-380-9912 or piraterendezvous@yahoo.com. New sponsors and volunteers are always needed!