Pirates poised to raid Big Lake Saturday

BIG LAKE — Swashbucklers and scallywags have but one chance to get their pirate fix for the year, and it’s Saturday, ye hardies, in Big Lake.

Buccaneer Blast and the family-friendly Wee Buccaneer Blast are usually a fundraiser to help put on the annual Pirates of Dollar Lake performances. But this year, perennial organizer and pirate queen Linda Lockhart said she’s not up to it for health reasons.

“They’re a little hesitant to put it on without me,” she said. “But we will be back, hopefully strong, next year.”

So what should you expect from a Buccaneer Blast?

Well, the Wee Blast features a snack and entertainment for kids. Sahara Storm Circus Arts will be there as well as the characters from “Pirates of Dollar Lake.” Kids should wear costumes if they have them because there’s a costume contest.

The more expensive Buccaneer Blast for adults features a dinner, Sahara Storm and desert. Oh, and pirates.

“You’ll be served by scallywags and wenches, of course,” she said.

The dinner is “utensils optional,” something Lockhart said people get a kick out of hearing. Also the desert is … interesting.

“It’s a life-size skeleton that you get to eat,” Lockhart said.

People didn’t quite know what to make of it last year, she said. But she encouraged them to break off a piece and “have a bone, matey!” and it was a big hit.

“It disappeared in like five minutes,” Lockhart said. “As soon as people figured out how good it was it went quick.”

In the past, she said, the blasts have been a way to raise funds to help put on “Pirates of Dollar Lake.”

In turn, “Pirates of Dollar Lake” was a fundraiser for the local recreation center.

“We’ve been doing the pirates here for the last four years and we’ve raised probably close to $40,000 over that time,” Lockhart said.

She said the money was used at to keep the rec center going, to keep the lights on and the Zamboni operational. But this year, with no need to lead into the Pirates event, the money is going to go straight to the recreation center.

“Development of phase II is under way for this building, which will include meeting rooms, locker rooms, shower facilities,” Lockhart said.

The rec center has from the very start been a community effort. It was built without any government money, just through community donations. The result has been an Olympic-size skating rink in a large metal building.

“It’s just an awesome thing in itself. We put up over a million dollar building here by doing that,” Lockhart said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.

WHAT: Buccaneer Blast and Wee Buccaneer Blast

WHEN: Saturday; Wee Blast: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Adult blast: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Big Lake Lions Recreation and Community Center

WHY: To benefit the rec center’s planned Phase II

COST: $10 per person for the Wee Blast, $35 per person for the adult party