Since 2012, local Port Adelaide businesses have collaborated to deliver a mass participation experience that provides significant social and economic impact to our local community.  We think that’s very cool and very Port Adelaide!
 
The Organisers continue to grow partnerships with local businesses to create a Pirate Festival of international renown that will deliver mutual benefit for local businesses, our community and visitor audiences.
 
The Pirates of Port Adelaide Festival is a community-led economic event:

• that builds the Pirate brand through one-to-one interaction creating an opportunity to strengthen the bond between Port Adelaide, our community and visitors;
• that provides an annual opportunity to engage an audience that is passionate for pirates, and where our community and visitors become part of the Pirate brand story, creating their own family experiences, memories and anticipation;
• that provides meaningful content for local businesses, clubs and tourism attractions to collaborate around and collectively build a unique marketing theme (and story) that gets amplified across media;
• that enables a long-term, sustainable economic development campaign centred around local businesses leveraging a unique theme, a shared experience, collaboration, tourism and community pride. 

 
In 2017, the Pirates of Port Adelaide Festival would not be possible without the kick-starter financial support provided by:

• Flinders Ports;
• Maritime Constructions; and
• Renewal SA

Our community is most grateful for this sponsorship support and for the confidence that it shows in Port Adelaide’s future by business leaders.

The Pirate Festival would also not be possible without the involvement of over 60 local businesses, clubs and tourism operators, including:

• Port Mall Shopping Centre;
• The Port Visitor Information Centre;
• Symons & Clark Logistics;
• The Dolphin Explorer;
• Back Diamond Tattoo Studio;
• The One & All Sailing Ship;
• The British Hotel Port Adelaide;
• The Lighthouse Wharf Hotel; and
• Haunted Horizons Tours.

 
But what if we held a Pirate pAARRRty and no-one came? 
 
The Organisers of the Pirate Festival curate the weekend's activities so that the visitor experience is both positive and memorable. They also promote the Pirates of Port Adelaide Brand, and market the Festival, far and wide! 
 
As distinct from chain retailers and box shopping centres, The Port is a challenging layout to stage cohesive events that benefit all interested traders, and much of its ‘treasure’ is not easily discoverable.  Using a fun treasure map, this challenge is met head-on allowing visitors to find the hidden treasures of our local, small businesses and to spend money in them.  The local economy, and our community, then benefits by an estimated $73 out of every $100 spent being recirculated locally, creating product demand, jobs and investment.
 ​

It’s not often a whole city gets involved in ‘make-believe’ to foster healthy imaginations but Port Adelaide does, over one swashbuckling weekend in September. The Pirates of Port Adelaide Festival is a free family event and, this year, aims to break the record for the world’s largest gathering of pirates - currently 14,231 held by Hastings UK since 2012.
 
In case you haven’t noticed, Port Adelaide is THE place to be if you’re a pirate.  The city has 2 Tall Ships, a ghost ship, a Maritime Museum and lots of hidden treasure. It’s also the perfect place for kids to imagine the thrill of adventures on the high seas and for families to dress up and unleash their inner pirate.
 
“A world record–breaking attendance target needs a great deal of marketing and promotion, and that costs money”, says Festival Organiser Cath Duncan. “We want all South Australians to experience the joy and adventure of thousands of pirates gathering in one fantastic place for a mighty Yarr!”
 
A Pirate crowd-funding campaign has been established and offers pirate pledge rewards including a custom tattoo design by Kelly McKinnon from Black Diamond Tattoo, One and All Tall Ship day sail, your pirate name a Jolly Roger hoisted in the mainstreet of Port Adelaide, family passes to the SA Maritime Museum and a variety of button badges, bandanas and tees.
 
“Our target of $6000 will pay for a media campaign that will lure Pirates to X marks the spot at the Pirates of Port Adelaide Festival, being held over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th September.”

The ​Pirates of Port Adelaide Festival is a community event in its 4th year and attracts in excess of 10,000 visitors for the Kids Treasure Hunt fun activities and the After-Dark adult Scavenger Hunt.
 
For more information about the Pirates of Port Adelaide World Record Challenge contact crew@piratesofportadelaide.com.au
 
For more information about the Pirates of Port Adelaide Festival and images of previous years’ Festivals visit the Pirates website and facebook page.