Over the last ten years, Kids' Pirate Day in Ladysmith has become an iconic summer event and has seen increasing visitor numbers year-on-year. In 2019, nearly 2000 persons attended the event and participated in a range of fun activities hosted on the docks of the Ladysmith Community Marina and on Oyster Bay Drive.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, in 2020 LMS began to explore possibilities of how to create online versions of Kids Pirate Days to stay in touch with the community over the summer, to maintain the tremendous momentum of volunteer support for the festival, and to bring fun and laughter to our audience of all ages.

In numerous online meetings, the project team - LMS Board, staff and volunteers - brainstormed and developed ideas for the "2020 Virtual Kids' Pirate Days". Fun, information, education and participation around maritime themes, the imaginary world of pirates, and community involvement formed the core of the concept. When we reached out to Ladysmith with our idea, the Town, businesses, volunteers and community organizations - responded with great enthusiasm and support for the event - and we knew we were on the right track.

The concept of pre-recorded video episodes – approx. 30 minutes in duration each - started us on a very steep learning curve involving content generation, plot, characters, scheduling dates and venues, technical expertise, logistics etc. Supported by great local talents, know-how, skills, proficiency, a strong sense of community - virtually everyone pulling on the same rope in the same direction - we succeeded!

The 2021 video episodes have been created with contributions by volunteers, amateurs and professionals. Each of the shows focuses on a different theme, near and related to the imaginary world of pirates. Episodes are "magazine-style," fun-filled programs, including a colorful mix of maritime information, participatory instructions, stories and jokes. 200 kit bags have been prepared by the enthusiastic pirates of the Royal Bank branch in Ladysmith. The bags are filled with pirate supplies and materials needed for participation in the video activities.

Kit Bags can be picked up on Thursday May 27 at the RBC branch Ladysmith from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon; Friday May 28th at LaFF South Davis Road School from 10:00 am to 12 noon; and the Welcome Centre at LMS Marina on Saturday May 29th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

 The Transfer Beach event has been cancelled due to COVID restrictions. However, on Sunday June 6^th we are planning a drive through where the kids can show us their completed activities and receive a prize. We ask that everyone stay in their vehicle and the Pirates will be there to wave to the children and pass the prize bag to you through the window.

The drive through will be located in front of the big blue LMS Heritage Building located at 610 Oyster Bay Drive. In order to prevent long waits we ask that you come during a designated time slot based on where you picked up your Pirate Kit Bag.

If you picked up your Kit Bag at:

• Royal Bank Ladysmith branch, come between 10:00 am & 11:00 am
• LaFF, come between 11:00 am & 12:00 noon
• LMS Marina, come between 12:00 noon & 1:00 pm

We would love to see photos of the kids’ completed activities and post them on our Kids’ Pirate Days Facebook & website, please email them to us at [email protected]. If you have any questions or need further information, please email us.