Lubec Pirate Invasion – Free and Fun for All in DownEast Maine

by Deb C
Pirate couple at Lubec, Maine Pirate Invasion

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Pirate couple in Lubec

The Lubec Pirate Invasion is a free and fun for all festival in DownEast Maine.  Excepting 2020, it is an annual event on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend.  The good people of Lubec gather at the waterfront to defend their small town from the pirates coming from the city of Eastport.  The invaders come not only by sea, but also by land and air.

Here’s the schedule for 2022:

Lubec Pirate Invasion Schedule 2022

 

Click image for enlarged view. (Not responsible for changes in this schedule which was published August 22, 2022.)

Every year it gets better.

You can also find information on The Lubec Community Bulletin Board on Facebook.

 The Lubec Pirate Invasion – A Newer Tradition with Historic Roots

Both Eastport and Lubec are in the Easternmost part of the United States and on the Bay of Fundy.  As maritime settlements, their histories are tied into the sea.  Also as border communities, their histories are also rich with invasions, enemy occupations, smuggling, shipwrecks, pirating, and other sea-related activities.

Twenty years ago, in 2005, Eastport established the annual Eastport Pirate Festival on the weekend after Labor Day.  As a lead up to, and extension of the festival, in 2008, Eastport began “invading” Lubec on Labor Day Weekend.  Thus began the Lubec Pirate Invasion, free and fun for all in DownEast, Maine.

It’s a fun and easy activity, as it’s only about a half hour boat ride between Lubec and Eastport.  On clear days, you can see Eastport across the bay from Lubec.  By car, it’s about a 45 minute ride.  Both Eastport and Lubec have small airports and a plane ride might take 15 minutes.  While there is a core group of “defenders” and “pirates” all are welcome to come in pirate or colonial style costumes and join in.

Pirates in Lubec, Maine

Lubec prepares to defend the town from the Pirate Invasion

Spectators at Invasion of Lubec

Around 9 a.m. Lubeckers and friendly tourists dressed in colonial period and buccaneer style garb gather on the hill and waterfront overlooking the town dock.  They are armed with water buckets, water balloons, and other water weapons, ready to defend the town.  Water Street is blocked off for pedestrian traffic.

Cohill's Inn and Pub

Some of the restaurants, like Cohill’s and Water Street Tavern, offer “dutch courage” in the form of drink specials.  Cohill’s, which overlooks the town dock, has a deck overlooking Water Street and a view of the dock.

Frank's Restaurant sign          Lubec Brewing Company Beer Garden

Frank’s Dockside and TakeOut (now closed) set up an outside beer garden one year. The Lubec Brewery opened its own beer garden.

Local organizations, crafts people, and vendors set up tables with goods, children’s activities, and raffles.

 

little pirate

The Lubec Pirate Invasion:  By sea, land, and air

Pirate Invasion by boat

Around 9:30 a.m. on Labor Day Saturday, boats and ships bearing flags with skull and crossbones come around the islands in the waters between Eastport and Lubec.  They advance to the dock, some with flares.

The boats are a mix of private and charter boats offering pirates round trip voyages to Lubec and back to Eastport.

Pirates arriving in Lubec

As the “pirate” ships pull up to the dock, small planes appear, coming from Eastport.  As they pass over the waiting townsfolk and visitors, they may drop streams of toilet paper.  One or two of the planes may have a “Jolly Roger” flag tied underneath.

Pirates arriving in Lubec Pirates arriving in Lubec

Plane overhead during Pirate InvasionTwo planes overhead during Lubec Pirate Invasion

As the pirate crews disembark, they brandish their weapons – super soakers and plastic swords.  They dip the super soakers in the water by the dock to load their weapons.  Surging up the boat ramp, they are met with townsfolk also armed with their water weapons.

Pirate motorcyclists in Lubec
flares from motorcyclists invading Lubec

As soakings commence, a rumbling announces the invasion by land.  A group of pirates on motorcycles and carrying smoke flares roars through the waterfront streets.  Pulling up in front of Cohill’s, they line up their bikes, dismount, and take to the streets in search of brews and booty.

Motorcycles and wenches in Downtown Lubec

After a good natured soaking fest, the pirates and Lubeckers settle down.  The pirates and defenders wander along Water Street, stopping at the vendors, shops, and the Farmers Market.  Many in costume good-naturedly pose for photos. Some enjoy beverages in their tankards, while others take to the Lubec Brewery beer garden or the restaurants along Water Street.  Fortified, mid-morning a tug of war takes place, Eastport vs. Lubec.

 

No two Invasions alike as Eastport Pirates attack Lubec

In 2019, for the first time, British Redcoat and Machias Revolutionary War Patriot Re-enactors were also on hand to engage with the invaders.  The Redcoats fired muskets and cannon as the pirates approached the waterfront.

Redcoats and cannon during Pirate's Invasion of Lubec Redcoats and motorcycles in Downtown Lubec, Maine

Also in 2019, Lubec organizers added a pirate parade and boat races and some other family activities to the mix.  Every year is a bit different from the previous year.  The DownEast Dragonfly Bar and Grill offered a Pig Roast and costume party with a local band.

But wait, there’s more to the Pirates Invasion of Lubec

While the Pirates Invasion and “Occupation” of Lubec runs until about 1 p.m. There is a time gap before other activities.   On Water Street, you can visit the historic Smokehouse complex and Lubec Landmarks gallery, as well as shops with locally made crafts.

 

Smokehouse Museum complex in Lubec Mural in Downtown Lubec

A few miles away you can visit the famed “candy-striped” West Quoddy Head Lighthouse.  On the way there you will pass the Lubec Channel Lighthouse, A.K.A. “The Sparkplug” and other galleries and shops.  There are hiking trails by the lighthouse, as well as off Rt. 189, the lone road/route in and out of town.  You can also stop in at Monica’s Chocolate’s or book a whale watch cruise.

Visiting Canada is allowed again, if you have your passport with you, and you fulfill whatever the current COVID protocol is, (at one point you had to fill out a form online) you can cross over the FDR bridge to the Canadian Island Campobello, which boasts the Roosevelt International Park, great scenic views, whale watch tours, and Herring Cove Golf Course and Restaurant.

Mulholland Lighthouse on Campobello Island, Canada

View of Mulholland Lighthouse on Campobello Island, Canada from Lubec, Maine waterfront.

You can also make your way over to Eastport by car or ferry for the annual Salmon Festival which features salmon dinners, a street market, art auction, music, a boat trip to salmon pens and more.

To find out more about the Lubec Pirate Invasion and other town events and festivals, visit: https://www.visitlubecmaine.com/

See other posts with information about Lubec here:

Picnic with a million dollar view in Lubec, Maine

DownEast Maine Fourth of July Fun

 


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