BEAUFORT, N.C. – Dozens of one-eyed pirates and hundreds of visitors flooded the streets of Beaufort Friday and Saturday during the annual Beaufort Pirate Invasion.  

The pirates traveled from all corners of North Carolina to sing pirate songs, engage in sword fights, perform Folk dances and wow the audience with mystifying magic shows during the two-day event.

Having a passion for the pirate lifestyle, Vincent and Lauren Bridgers, sword combat performers and role-playing pirates, participated in the invasion last year, got hooked and returned to loot and pillage this year.

“We’ve developed a love for it,” said Lauren. “We get to travel and do what we enjoy, and that’s all we can ask for.”

Five different pirate crews participated, all of whom were under the flag of Capt. Horatio Sinbad, a Blackbeard impersonator.

“I’ve been doing this my whole life,” said Sinbad. “I built a boat almost 50 years ago in Detroit, and I’ve been onboard ever since.”

After dedicating more than 40 years to piracy, 70-year-old Sinbad still patrols the briny deep, performing along the East Coast with his motley crew.

“I love all these guys,” said Sinbad. “I love the camaraderie and all of the things we do. The review tonight is going to be hilarious.”

Towards the end of the event the pirates gathered and expressed their gratitude to the townspeople for allowing their revelry.

“Everything we do is for the audience,” said Lauren. “We strive to make them happy.”