The Brixham Pirate Festival should be celebrating its tenth year in 2018, but organisers fear the Devon-based festival will be sunk without trace if they cannot raise enough money to keep it going.
Devon’s most famous pirates say they are on the verge of cancelling the 2018 event, unless a sponsor can be found to save the UK’s famous Brixham Pirate Festival. The May Day celebration, which takes place across the bank holiday weekend and attracts thousands of people in fancy dress each year, will not be taking place unless funding is found.
“We are not crying wolf,” said committee member Richard Stride. “Unless sponsors come forward, there simply won’t be a festival next year.”
The festival is free to enter and takes over the entire town for the long weekend, featuring fancy dress, live music, pirate ‘skirmishes’ and other events. It costs around £32,000 to stage.
Organisers – who receive no financial backing from the local council – have set up a crowdfunding page to help ensure the celebrations can continue.
“It is very simple,” Richard explained. “The amount we have in the bank is not enough to put on the festival next year. We are looking for people to come and help us, be it with £2 or £20,000.
The festival had two sponsors last year, but they are unfortunately unable to continue with their support in 2018. Companies who are interested in coming to the festival’s rescue can get in touch here.
