Rye Pirates and Smugglers Day is a free town-wide celebration with processions, a Smugglers’ Market, live music, sea shanties, re-enactments, competitions, fairground rides and pirate activities. Loud bangs and gunfire form part of the programme. Visitors are encouraged to travel by public transport where possible.
Gun Gardens programme:
10:00am Parade muster and sea shanties from Rye Harbour Herrings
10:25am Mayor and Town Crier proclamation
10:35am Drum-off with Drumskullz and Ryebellion Drummers
10:40am Hoisting of the Rye Pirates and Smugglers colours
10:45am Musket fire from Ypres Tower
11:00am Procession walks to the Strand
2:15pm Best Dressed Children’s Competition
Strand Quay programme:
10:00am-5:00pm Smugglers’ Market and display arena
11:45am Re-enactment demonstration
12:00pm Ukulele band
12:15pm Drumskullz
12:45pm The Crazy Captain
1:00pm Best Dressed Pet Competition
1:15pm The Pett Slip Buoys
1:45pm Marine Cadets
2:30pm Rye Harbour Herrings
3:00pm Re-enactment demonstration
Town Salts programme:
10:00am DJ Kenni throughout the day
11:30am Completely Scuppered
12:00pm Re-enactment demonstration
12:15pm Crowborough u3a Shanty Group
12:45pm Skirmish
1:15pm Frankie & The Heartless Rogues
2:15pm Re-enactment demonstration
2:30pm Hooligans Rule
3:00pm Best Dressed Adults Competition
3:15pm Ragati String Band
4:00pm Crowning of the Pirate King and Queen
4:10pm Ragati String Band
5:00pm The Pett Slip Buoys
The children’s parade and pirates and smugglers chain gang muster at the Mermaid Inn at 1:45pm, leaving at 2pm for Gun Gardens. Pirate Belle hosts games and stories at Mermaid’s Cove.
Activities throughout the day include The Day of Syn and 79th Highlanders encampments and fairground rides at Town Salts; a free children’s treasure hunt collected from Ypres Tower; pirate hat making at Rye Museum on East Street; and guided tours of the Mermaid Inn, which should be booked directly with the inn. Rye Harbour Herrings and The Day of Syn will also roam around the town.
The Best Dressed Rye Shop will be judged on Friday 7 August, with the winner announced on Saturday 8 August.
