Piratefest 2020 Canceled in Response to COVID-19 Recommendations | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:


    GREENVILLE, NC     Following the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommendation that all events with attendance larger than 50 people be canceled for the next 8 weeks in response to COVID-19, it is with heavy hearts that the PirateFest Planning Committee announces PirateFest 2020 scheduled to take place April 17th - 18th in Uptown Greenville is officially canceled.

    "While we are saddened that we will not be able to produce this amazing community festival, we know the safety of our citizens, vendors, and entertainers are the priority," stated Holly Garriott, Executive Director of Emerge Gallery and Co-Producer of PirateFest. "We are already planning for 2021, and transferring our efforts to making next year's festival the best yet."

    In the midst of navigating these rough waters, our crew would like to invite our community to put April 9th & 10th on their calendars for piratical tomfoolery at PirateFest 2021!

    "PirateFest is Greenville's signature community festival," said Meredith Hawke Interim Executive Director of Uptown Greenville and Co-Producer of PirateFest. "We will work to create culture in the heart of Greenville once again. We are heartbroken but recognize the threat COVID-19 poses to community events."

    Organized by Uptown Greenville, Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge, the City of Greenville, and the Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau, PirateFest showcases the best of the region, from artists to restaurants, to unique recreational activities.

    "PirateFest is a celebration that brings together people from throughout our community," Greenville Mayor P.J. Connelly said. "While that is something that we all enjoy, that is also the type of thing that we are being told to avoid at this time. We will all regroup and look to make next year's event the best one ever."

    PirateFest is made possible by many sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and entertainers. If you would like to join the fun and share the experience with us during the 15th annual PirateFest celebration in 2021, please reach out to us at your convenience at info@uptowngreenville.com.

    We look forward to working hard in the coming months to make PirateFest 2021 the most ARRRGH-SOME event in Pirate history.

• Contact: Uptown Greenville
•     info@uptowngreenville.com