Pirates of Pinehurst announce final year for big show
The Halloween street show and hunt for gold are retiring after this year.
This article has been updated from its original version.
SHERWOOD, Ore. — The Pirates of Pinehurst are returning to Pinehurst Court this October with a familiar show, new additions, and two seasonal beers for adult pirates. However, it may be the last year for the big show and the hunt for gold coins.
The annual Halloween street show is scheduled to begin Friday, October 2, bringing animatronics, lights, fog, music, and other special effects to the Woodhaven neighborhood.
For now, the main show will remain largely the same as last year, according to Chris Northup, also known as Captain Crusty, who helps organize the annual display.
"The street theme will remain and each house will set up their own displays with various levels of interactivity (next year), but those aren't defined at the moment," Northup said. "We're focusing on going out strong and we'll worry about next year afterwards. It was a great run!"
While the main show will stay the same, some of the supporting cast homes will have new additions, including a pirate barbershop quartet singing sea shanties.
“We had some major changes last year, so they get a second run,” Northup said. “The crew is pretty busy with regular life this year and show changes mean a ton more programming changes, which is why we're keeping it the same.”
The main display spans four homes, with coordinated technology connecting the shows. Behind the scenes, the team spends long hours in September programming and testing the various elements.
“There is a lot that happens behind the scenes to coordinate the action between four different homes,” Northup said. “From the sound that moves around the show timed perfectly with the skeleton's movements, to the pneumatic lifts, to the smoke machines and more, it's pretty amazing what the team has assembled over the years.”
The show includes everything from synchronized sound and skeleton movements to pneumatic lifts and smoke machines.
Northup said the most complex piece is the Ghostly Rose ship in the Botany Bay display, although each of the four main show houses has its own technical challenges.
“It's a year-round discussion and we meet regularly to make sure everything is where it needs to be, including the sponsors and gold hunt activities and prizes,” he said.
The Pirates of Pinehurst also have a new offering this year for visitors 21 and older.
The group has partnered with Bearkat Brewing to offer two seasonal pirate beers. The “Pirates of Pinehurst Pilsner,” which was introduced earlier this year will return. A new deep amber ale called “Crusty’s Revenge” will also be available.
A launch party for the beers was Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Bearkat Brewing, with Captain Crusty in attendance.
The partnership also supports the Pirates’ annual fundraising efforts for the Sherwood Education Foundation. Northup estimates the group has raised more than $25,000 for the foundation since the shows began.
“It would be great to see as many other pirates as possible to support a local business,” Northup said.
The Pirates of Pinehurst is a free community attraction, with the annual display drawing thousands of visitors throughout October. In addition to the shows and decorations, the group again plans to offer its hidden gold hunt along the neighborhood’s public trails, with gold redeemable for candy and prizes on Halloween night.
Northup said the group’s favorite part of the annual tradition is seeing the community come out to experience the show.
“As always, what we look forward to the most is the excitement of the crowd and smiles from all the kids as they walk around in wonder,” he said.
The shows begin Thursday, Oct. 1, and continue throughout October. Because weather can affect the displays and performances, Northup said the Pirates of Pinehurst Instagram account is the best place to find updates about rainouts, schedule changes and other news.
For more information and updates, follow Pirates of Pinehurst on Instagram at www.instagram.com/piratesofpinehurst
Jules Rogers
