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 on August 15 during a special extended farmers market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Customers can take advantage of three additional hours to shop their favorite produce; baked goods and artisan breads; fresh flowers; meats and seafood; local art; and more. The Fifes and Drums of York Town will march through the waterfront at 9 a.m. and Phil Poteat will be set up on the Riverwalk Landing Stage to provide live music beginning at 10 a.m. The visiting life-sized LOVE Letters on loan from the Virginia Tourism Corporation will remain on display beside Water Street Grille for family photo opportunities.

Visitors are invited to come down and show their support for small businesses during a virtual town-wide treasure hunt. Due to COVID-19 and in an attempt to limit touchpoints, this year's treasure map of participating businesses distributing treasure will be digital and shared to both www.visityorktown.org and pinned to the top of Visit Yorktown on Facebook. There will also be several large printed maps on display for visitors to snap pictures of to help guide families to where "X" marks the spot. Treasure can be found at the Yorktown Market Days sponsor booth for Parks Orthodontics as well as the Watermen's Gift Shop, Patriot Tours & Provisions, Yorktown Bookshop, Auntie M's American Cottage, the Gallery at York Hall, and Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters. There is no official 'check-in' spot and participants may start anywhere on the map to collect their pirate cup (while supplies last), and first piece of treasure.
 
Several restaurants are getting in on the fun with Ben & Jerry's offering free sprinkles for everyone that day! Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters will be serving miniature versions of their Village Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches for the smaller pirates, and Water Street Grille will have fun menu items like Golden Coins (Flash Fried Zucchini Bites with Chipotle Ranch) and Off the Hook Haddock (Fried Haddock Fillet). Stock up on pirate gear for the kids with a stop at Patriot Tours & Provisions or Auntie M's American Cottage.
 
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 market 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 that Saturday (weather permitting) at 10:30 a.m. with afternoon history sightseeing sails at 1:30 and 4 p.m.
 
A friendly reminder for everyone shopping the market: All vendors, artists, and staff members are required to wear face coverings. Shoppers who are making transactions are also asked to pull their face masks over their noses and mouths. Again, this is to protect those around you. Please refrain from picking up produce, products, and works of art unless you are positive you are purchasing what you have in your hands. We know it goes against instinct - especially at a farmers market where you like to lean on all your senses, including touch. Remember, this is for the safety of everyone and a way for each of us do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. If you need help, we kindly ask that you wait your turn, remain an appropriate distance from the customer in front of you, and ask for it. The same applies if you stop to interact closely with someone who is outside of your immediate family. If you are used to popping in and out of the market, please note that your trip may take longer than it used to under these new restrictions. It is likely you will have to wait in line, so just be sure to pack your patience!
 
Pirates Invade Yorktown is sponsored by the Riverwalk Landing Business Association, Parks Orthodontics, York County Tourism, and the Watermen's Museum. Additional event support provided by Auntie M's American Cottage, the Gallery at York Hall, Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters, Patriot Tours & Provisions, and the Yorktown Bookshop (all participants in this year's Treasure Hunt).