"This certainly gives new meaning to learning how to make your bed!" -Don Dunbar

The Eastport Pirate Festival has quickly become known for all of its family fun and entertainment. One of the most popular events each year is The Pirate Bed Race through the historic waterfront streets of Eastport. This year the top place winner will walk away with $500.00 to be shared by the team with the best time.

In all a total of $1000.00 of prize money will be given to the various winning categories with half that going to the top entry. All contestants will receive the official Eastport Pirate Festival Bed Race 2011 T-Shirts as well.

All teams must be pre-registered prior to the start of the race. The race is on Saturday, September 10 following the Grand Pirate Festival Parade.

“We hope to see teams from both sides of the border,” says race organizer Don Dunbar. “The rules are quite simple. All Teams should be properly attired in Pirate theme with adequate attention to safety apparel. Use of helmets and padding is strongly encouraged for all participants. Riders are required to wear a safety helmet. Beds should be designed with four or more wheels making contact with the street surface at all times. No Motorization or mechanical propulsion allowed. Beds must have some sort of mattress and push bars attached must not exceed 12 inches on each side. Teams shall consist of one Rider and four runners/Pushers. This certainly gives new meaning to learning how to make your bed!”

Traditionally local businesses, clubs, schools, local Fire and Police Departments and The US Coast Guard enter bed races. Last year The Boat School – Husson University won first place in the race. You can pre-register by calling Don Dunbar at 207-853-0727. An entry form and full details on teams and prize catagories can be found at the Pirate Festival website www.eastportpiratefestival.com

Come September 9-11 the little island city of Eastport will celebrate its thalassic and fishing heritage with a weekend of pure fun and excitement for people of all ages. Once again this incredible marquee end of summer event on the Coast of Maine will welcome thousands of visitors to one of the regions only free festivals to be enjoyed by families. It is gentle on the pocket book and packed full of music, great food, entertainment, pirates, parades, fireworks, vendors, wenches, crowning of a new King and Queen, International Lobster Boat Racing, sailing adventures, events for children and a Pirate's Ball for adults. If you want to experience Maine’s “Rock Bound Coast” and the Atlantic Ocean at their finest… this is the place and the weekend.

Starting with the Pirate Invasion of Lubec September 3rd all of the events are geared towards the water and the ocean. This is Pirate Week on Passamaquoddy Bay.

If you have a desire to experience pure Maine and the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the Atlantic Ocean at their very best then make your way to Eastport… way Downeast on September 3rd for the Pirate Invasion of Lubec and the full weekend of September 9-11 when The Eastport Pirate Festival offers visitors the most scintillating line-up of great music, food, entertainment, sailing, ocean activities, arts and crafts, and the best pirate pageantry anywhere in Maine and The Maritimes. For participants from New Brunswick the Deer Island – Eastport Ferry will operate the entire weekend. For visitors and residents to Lubec and Campobello the Eastport-Lubec Ferry will operate all weekend with a special Saturday night run following the fireworks.