Pirate Jam 2026

[crazycarl]

This was the 7th year for Oriental's Pirate Jam. Our 6th. The event is a 3 band concert put together by the Arts Council. The bands perform for 2 hours each on private property so the only way to enjoy it is on the water. There are 50' yachts, canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, even dollar store inflatables. If we have friends with us we bring the Orion. This year we were alone so we took the Compac, rafting up with neighbors. There weren't as many boats this year and I believe it's because the heat index was triple digits and a storm was coming. They moved the start up an hour and with a nice breeze coming off the river, it wasn't bad. I went for a swim, but Joanie stayed under the bimini with 2 fans running. Many a beer were consumed and when it was over, the sky was dark and threatening. Our friends couldn't get their engine to start so another neighbor came out and towed them in. He texted me later the engine started right up once on the trailer. Our o/b refused to start so I pulled the anchor and we sailed to just inside our cove where the tall trees blocked the breeze. I intended to swim the 50 yards to our dock, retrieve the dinghy, and tow the boat in, but I gave the o/b another chance and it fired up. We came alongside the dock just as a light drizzle started. I only saw 1 other Compac this year, a 27, but a kayaker stopped by us and informed me he sails Compac 23. We exchanged numbers and I text him a link to this site. Pics are the Pirate Jam flag you get when you turn in $150 worth of receipts from local businesses. The flag is different every year. Second pic is the main stage. Third is Joanie under the bimini. Last is the bow into the wind and the Oriental bridge leading out tobthe Neuse river and the ICW.

[passagesfromtheheart]

Carl, first -- you had me at "Pirate Jam!" You are living the dream, my friend -- sounds like an absolutely fantastic event and I would love to partake in this, one day!

So cool you met the guy with the 23, too!

From what I read on this forum with your posts, whenever you head out on the water, you always manage to have quite an adventure -- love reading about them and armchair adventuring and sailing along with you!

OH! And speaking of music jams out on the water -- there is a really cool one out of the Bellingham, Washington area each year, I believe -- it's called "Beats on the Bay" and the bands play on a huge schooner while people hang out on the water aboard their boats all around the schooner:

https://www.boatingcenter.org/beatsonthebay