Pirate Invasion comes to Yorktown - April 23 & 24

Golden Age of Piracy as Riverwalk Landing and the Watermen’s Museum

Saturday, April 23 & Sunday, April 24, 2022

Ye are invited to travel back to the Golden Age of Piracy as Riverwalk Landing and the Watermen’s Museum. Ye are invited to travel back to the Golden Age of Piracy as Riverwalk Landing and the Watermen’s Museum are invaded by seafaring marauders this weekend, April 23 and 24, from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. Enjoy live blacksmith demonstrations, sing along to sea shanties, witness the live dance performance “Pirates & Mermaids of Yorktown,” take part in a town-wide treasure hunt,
and experience exciting cannon demonstrations. There is even more excitement to be found at York Hall with live Pirate Puppet Show performances. When you are done with the Pirate Puppet Show, head down to The Freight Shed for the History Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. indoors. That is not all that you’ll find at the Pirates Invasion of Yorktown! Enroll your kids in Pirate school where they will learn how to walk, talk, and act like pirates. Make sure you don’t miss the captivating Pirate trial at York Hall. The fun continues at the Waterman’s Museum with a pirate encampment, food vendors, and various live performances throughout the day.

‘’ Marks the Spot
Treasure Hunt for Landlubbers
‘Children will have the opportunity to collect coins, jewels, eye patches, and other booty at various businesses and attractions in a town-wide Treasure Hunt. Be sure to download the treasure map at www.visityorktown.org and at Visit Yorktown on Facebook to see why “X” marks the spot at local businesses. Participating businesses include Auntie M’s American Cottage, Gallery at York Hall, Gangsta Dog, Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters, On the Hill Gallery, Patriot Tours & Provisions, Watermen’s Museum Gift Shop, and the Yorktown Bookshop. Kids can keep their treasures as souvenirs of the event.

Arrr Ye Hungry?

Grub for Starving Sailors & Scallywags All Historic Yorktown restaurants will be open,
and in the spirit of the event, Yorktown Market Days will run until 3 p.m. with several food truck options. Coastal Thirst, Boyd’s Tasty Dogs, Chef Joseph’s Seafood, and Kathi’s Clam Chowder are food trucks that will be in attendance from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. On Sunday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kona Ice, Coastal Thirst, and Chef Joseph’s Seafood food truck will be serving at the event. Water Street Grille welcomes walk-in parties (reservations not accepted). Carrot Tree has several grab-and-go picnic options available, perfect for guests to eat lunch along the Riverwalk or down at the Beach Picnic Area. The Yorktown Pub is serving lunch, so families can grab something to eat before or after hitting up all the fun. And up the hill on Main Street—Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters & Petite Cafe has sandwiches, salads, dips, and desserts.

Sail Ho!

Guests can test their Sea Legs when they sail the waters of the York River with Captain Mayhem on his Pirate Adventure Cruise! The Captain is always looking for pint-sized recruits to help raise the sails, tie knots, and steer the ship. No worries. He hasn’t forced anyone to walk the plank… yet. While the Pirate event itself is free, all sails aboard the Schooner Alliance require paid tickets. The number to call for reservations is 1-888-316-6422. Kid-friendly pirate cruises run both Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 and 1:30 p.m.

Yorktown Scenic & Sunset Sails: The Schooner Alliance will sail into the sunset at 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Spend a romantic evening scanning the horizon for dolphins, osprey, and other wildlife. An earlier sightseeing sail will also take place at 4 p.m. Tickets are required. Food and beverages are available for purchase on board. Schedule and rates.

View the full weekend schedule HERE

Pirate Invasion Farmers Market:

Pirate Invasion Farmers Market: On Saturday morning, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., take advantage of Yorktown’s waterfront farmers market. Enjoy live music; food trucks; and a variety of vendors and artists!

Ranger Talk: (20 mins) 1:30 pm:

Join a park ranger for a brief exploration into the people, places, and/or events in Yorktown during the American War for Independence. Each ranger has developed a different presentation exploring different stories. Park staff will meet their audience at the Regimental Flags in front of the park’s Visitor Center and travel to a specific location. This program requires limited walking.

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown:

Learn more about our nation’s story through exciting indoor galleries with period artifacts and immersive environments and films. Don’t miss “The Siege of Yorktown” shown on a 180-degree surround screen complete with dramatic special effects like smoke and vibrations from the cannon and musket fire! In the outdoor areas, you’ll find a re-created Continental Army encampment to learn about the life of a soldier and to take in daily demonstrations of medical treatment, camp life and cooking, and flintlock musket firings. Explore a Revolution-era farm, based on a real-life
18th-century family, where you can help with chores related to the house, kitchen, tobacco barn, gardens, and crops. The museum has adapted operations with safety protocols for everyone’s enjoyment. Museum admission is free to James City County, York County, and City of Williamsburg neighbors with proof of residence.

Yorktown Battlefield Walk (45 mins) 10 am & 3 pm:

Join a park ranger for a short walk across the battlefield to gain insight into the many aspects of the 1781 Siege of Yorktown. Visitors should be prepared for a walk up to a one-half mile. Limited seating is found along this walk, visitors should plan to stand for much of this presentation. Each ranger-led walk begins at the Regimental Flags in front of the building

Weigh Anchor and Hoist the Mizzen!
Best Ways to Navigate the Event

Free parking is available at the Riverwalk Landing parking terrace, York Hall, York- Poquoson Courthouse, County Administration Building, and other designated public lots. The complimentary, wheelchair-accessible Yorktown Trolley runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.