[Cayman
Catboat – New Addition to Landing]

[George Town, Grand Cayman, – The
Pirates Week Festival Office is proud to announce the official theme
of the 2019 festival is “Shipwrecked”, this in an effort to
incorporate the Cayman Catboat – an integral part of the islands’
history – and linking Caymanian culture and heritage to the fantasy
festival.

“The Cayman Catboat Club is thrilled
to play a more central role in this year’s Pirates Week,” said
Cayman Catboat Club President, Jerris Miller. “We can’t reveal
too much about our involvement but by partnering with the Festival,
we aim to bring awareness to the historic and cultural value of the
Catboat in our country’s history.”

The Catboat Club has long been a part
of the annual festivities, displaying the boats at District Heritage
Days as well as sailing them in the harbour during the festival
season.

“People can also look forward to
seeing us on Monday 11th November as we sail around the Hog Sty Bay,
showcasing our restored and newly built Catboats,” said Mr. Miller.

The Pirates Week Festival office is
proud to partner with the Cayman Catboat Club and Cayman Maritime
Heritage Foundation,” said Pirates Week Festival General Manager,
Melanie McField.

“We want to celebrate the men and
women who work hard in restoring these boats to pristine condition
and who spend their teaching children of Cayman history. Many people
will note the fantasy and fun of Pirates Week, but we very much want
to promote our islands’ history and culture; the catboat is very
much a part of that history,” she added.

This year marks the 42nd
annual Cayman Islands National Festival Pirates Week and festivities
kick off in Cayman Brac from 1st to 3rd
November, move to the nation’s capital in Grand Cayman from 7th
to 11th November and the pirates wind things down in
Little Cayman from 15th – 17th November. On
the events calendar once again, is a showcase of pirate revelry,
costume contests, parades, 5k Run, pooch parade, children’s fun
day, food, music, and fireworks to name a few of the events happening
during the festival season.

“With more than three 40 events held
across all three islands; it truly has something for everyone. We
encourage people to check out our events calendar online and come out
to the event that best suits your passion or simply come to all of
them!” commented Ms. McField.

District Heritage Days
The
District Heritage Committees will once again highlight unique aspects
of their individual districts, with cultural displays, traditional
food and fun activities for children and adults.

The District Heritage Days will take
place this year from 12th – 16th November.

“We want people to take note of the
shift in District Heritage Days, this year beginning on Tuesday and
ending on Saturday. Come out and support your district, meet with the
artisans, bring the little ones and expose them to all things
culturally significant to the Caymanian people and their traditions,”
she said.

The District Heritage Day schedule is
as follows:

East End: Tuesday,
12th November

West
Bay: Wednesday, 13th November

North
Side: Thursday, 14th November

Bodden
Town: Friday, 15th November

George
Town: Saturday, 16th November

To learn more, log on to the website
www.piratesweekfestival.com.
Here you can find out about the more than 40 events being held
throughout the festival season, sign up as a volunteer, food or craft
vendor in Grand Cayman or Cayman Brac.

People will also find information on
the deadlines to enter one of the sporting events; sign up as a
vendor in Grand Cayman or Cayman Brac, or enter the Cardboard
Regatta, Pirates Pooch Parade or the National Song Competition.

The public is also encouraged to follow
Pirates Week on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for real time
updates.

Sponsors
The Pirates Week
Festival is pleased to have the support of these major sponsors for
the 2019 events:

AI Rentals
Ace
Hardware
Cayman Airways Ltd.
Bacardi
Cayman Islands
Department of Tourism
Hurley’s Media Ltd.
Ministry of
Tourism
Ministry of CultureTourism Attraction Board

A complete list of sponsors can be
found on the www.piratesweekfestival.com

###

The Pirates Week Festival is the largest event in the Cayman Islands calendar, annually drawing over 35,000 spectators for the duration of the 11-day festival. During this time, the islands are transformed into a mass of colour and revelry, with over three dozen different events being hosted over three weekends, across all three islands!

The Pirates Week Festival is
administered by the Tourism Attraction Board of the Cayman Islands.

Those looking to participate in the
festival or become a sponsor in any way, can email
events@piratesweekfestival.com.

If you would like more information
about this topic, please email marketing@tab.ky
.