Shiver me Timbers!

August 11, 2020
 
     Yorktown Market Days, the Riverwalk Landing Business Association, and the Watermen's Museum are teaming up to offer socially distanced and virtual pirate-themed fun during the August 15 Pirate Invasion Market. During this special extended farmers market, customers will have three additional hours to shop for seasonal produce; poultry and seafood; eggs; baked goods; jams, jellies, and honey; gourmet dog treats; and so much more. Shopping begins at 8 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. with a Virtual Pirate Treasure Hunt beginning at 10 a.m. Several restaurants, retail stores and attractions will be offering specials that day in the spirit of the market. Visitors are invited to come down and show their support for small businesses and are reminded that pandemic restrictions remain in place including required face masks, social distancing with groups outside their immediate families, and anyone who is sick or has been around anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 is asked to stay home.
     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 be on display beside Water Street Grille for family photo opportunities.

"X" 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. Due to COVID-19 and in an attempt to limit touchpoints, this year's treasure map 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. Kids can keep their treasures as souvenirs and fun memories of the day! 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.

Arrr Ye Hungry?
Grub for Starving Seadogs & Scallywags

     Yorktown Market Days will feature food truck options including Coastal Thirst and Boyd's Tasty Dogs. Just down the street at the Watermen's Museum, visitors will find Black Pearl Food Truck and Polar Snow.
     All Historic Yorktown restaurants will be serving lunch as well (note: Larry's is under renovation and not currently open). Carrot Tree will be open 10 to 3 with several grab-and-go picnic options - perfect for guests to space out and eat lunch along the Riverwalk or down at the Beach Picnic Area. Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters on Main Street will be serving miniature to-go versions of their Village Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches (for the smaller pirates), in addition to offering outdoor seating for to-go options. Ben & Jerry's is excited to offer FREE SPRINKLES for everyone that day. They will also be running a Buy Three, Get One Free deal on their pints of ice cream. Yorktown Pub has seafood, sandwiches, and burgers available. You can order online for curbside pickup! And in the spirit of the event, Water Street Grille has fun menu items like Golden Coins (Flash Fried Zucchini Bites with Chipotle Ranch), Off the Hook Haddock (Fried Haddock Fillet), and Pirates of the Caribbean Jerk Chicken Pizza.

Sail Ho! 
Pirate Ship Spotted at Riverwalk Landing

 
     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. as well as a sunset sail.

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 County Courts & Office Complex, and other designated public lots. The complimentary, wheelchair accessible Yorktown Trolley will also be available from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Passengers are asked to please follow all COVID-19 posted restrictions and are asked to wear their face masks.
 
Additional Event Info:

• www.yorktownmarketdays.com
• York County Tourism Development:  (757( 890-5900
• York County Weather Event Hotline:  (757) 890-3520
• Facebook, Instagram & Twitter:  Visit Yorktown #visityorktown #piratesinvadeyorktown

 
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 Yorktown Bookshop.