"Raise Yer Flag, Grab Yer Mate and Prepare To Be Boarded," says Ross Furman, Co-Chair of the 2011 Eastport Pirate Festival in his message to the Bangor TV Stations.

On Friday morning, September 2nd a host of swashbuckling pirates, buccaneers and wenches will muster in Bangor from all the seas within a six-month sail to call on the local TV Stations of WLBZ, WABI, WVII and FOX to issue an invitation to crews and viewers to join them for the 6th Annual Eastport Pirate Festival. As with Bangor TV Pirate invasion tradition they will be leaving part of their treasures with each station along with a few provisions. As was tradition with all pirates of old when they came ashore as friendly visitors they would bring food, grog and a bit of gold and silver to share.

"The Eastport Pirate Festival is most appreciative of the welcome extended and the promotion provided by Bangor's TV Stations and their affiliates statewide," says former TV anchor and reporter John Miller.

Once again, Eastport, Maine and Moose Island will play host to Pirates, Buccaneers, Privateers and other nefarious Brethren of the Coast from around the world at the 6th Annual Eastport Pirate Festival September 9-11.

"The Eastport Pirate Festival is more than just pirates," says Miller. "It is celebrating the city's rich and colorful maritime history and heritage. Eastport's Pirate Festival offers people of all ages pure entertainment all weekend long. It is all free so it makes for a wonderful family event that is gentle on your pocketbook. If you're in the mood to test your own piratical skills, participate in the Annual Pirates Lobster Trap Race or the Pirates Bed Race. Or step up to the plate and compete for the crown in the Pirate King and Queen contest. For the pint sized pirates there is a wonderful kids pirate costume contest and even one for your pets. These events are hilarious fun, whether you're participating or simply enjoying the competition."

Don't miss the re-enactment of the historical trial of Anne Bonny and Mary Read , the two most famous women pirates in history, presented by Stage East. The trial, which will take place on the Pirate Stage lets you step back in time to experience a real trial of pirates. Based on the original transcripts provided by Tamara Eastman.

New this year will be the most spectacular fireworks display ever offered in the sky over Passamaquoddy Bay on Saturday evening, September 10th at 7:30 PM. The Pirate Stage will be full of incredible music for the evening as well with buskers performing at every street corner.

The Pirate Village Thieves Market happens all weekend long in participating shops and with the colorful vendors. A Pirate parade, Pirates Ball, Pirate Kid's Breakfast, strolling buskers, musicians, bands, belly dancers, fiddlers, cutlass demonstrations, cannon fire...and plenty of other piratical activities for buccaneers & wenches of all ages are all part of the weekend offerings.

Black powder weapons masters The Pirates of the Dark Rose will have their encampment set-up all weekend as well. They all travel the high seas looking for adventure. Bedecked in authentic garb and props, they create mischief and mayhem wherever they go with their swashbuckling swordplay, sharp wit and canon demonstrations.

On Sunday, September 11 the Eastport Pirate Festival International Lobster Boat Race is back on the waterfront. The Pirate Lobster Boat Race Committee has some exciting additions this year that include an Eastport v. Lubec race. Fastest Prize is $500. Open to working lobster boats from Eastport and Lubec. Also, a Deer island, New Brunswick v. Campobello Island, New Brunswick race with a $500 winner take all prize. Lobster Boat racing on the Coast of Maine is the NASCAR of the open sea. It is pure adrenaline. Organizers are also working on a Galen Alley challenge race. The star of the Maine Lobster Boat Race circuit, Alley's Lobster Boat has been clocked at over 70 MPH.

The Pirate Bed Race is back this year with a total of $1000.00 in prize money to be given away. Half of that will go to the first place winning team along with special bed race t-shirts being given to every team member of every bed entered. This is always a favorite of the 10,000 plus visitors and this year promises to be better than ever.

Pirate belly-dancing group the Paradigm crew will headline the buskers and street performers all weekend with their incredible costumes and talents helping to create a real Pirate atmosphere for the three day event.

The Pirate Parade keeps getting bigger and better every year. The bar will once again be raised with the 2011 Pirates Parade. A great place to catch all of the adults dressed as Pirates, Scallywags and Wenches is at the annual Pirates Ball held Friday evening September 9th at the Eastport Chowder House.

Organizers are excited to announce that the Thieves' Market and offering of vendors will be bigger than ever now that it has found a permanent home on the historic waterfront. Vendors from near and far will come to sell their goods to patrons courageous enough to do business with known pirates and ruffians, right in plain view of a fort manned by her majesty's finest.

Enjoy the best in pirate and non-pirate wares, brought in from the four corners of the world. Sample delicious foods and devilishly divine brews, including a few hand selected ones at Eastport's local pirate's pubs, where you can listen to music by some of the finest entertainers on the Seven Seas.

Fun for Children of All Ages. For all children and adults who want to be pirates, Eastport, Maine is the place to be. The 6th Annual Eastport Pirate Festival Invites you for a true swashbuckling weekend September 9-11.

The Pirate Invasion of Lubec happens the weekend before on Saturday, September 3 to kick-off Pirate Week in Downeast, Maine. The Lubec event has grown into a full day of Pirate offerings and signals the official start of Pirate Week on Passamaquoddy Bay. The invasion takes place by land, sea and air with a full armada of Pirate Ships, Pirates on Motorcycles and even flying Pirates overhead.

"If you are anywhere within 5000 miles of Maine you should definitely plan to attend both events," says Festival Chairman Ross Furman. "We are most excited to be heading out ship towards Bangor for our annual visit to all of our friends in Bangor TV Land."

For full details, list of entertainers and a schedule of events visit www.eastportpiratefestival.com