Lake Chelan Pirate Fest returns with family fun

MANSON—Pirates will once again invade Lake Chelan for the annual Lake Chelan Pirate Fest and the Pirate Kids Carnival on August 15-18.

The festival is organized by the Lake Chelan Tourist Center and is part of a summer pirate series of family-friendly community events. 

Lake Chelan Tourist Center Event Manager Brad Snow said the festival started in 2012 and has its own mythical tale of how Captain Chelan and his pirates came to Lake Chelan.

According to event organizers, the legend goes that two hundred years ago, a Scotsman from Fort Augustus took a treasure chest assumed to be filled with riches and set out to sea. During a storm off the coast of Washington in 1812, the true contents of the chest were discovered, and the ship was mysteriously transported to what is now known as Lake Chelan.

Now, the pirates return to Chelan every summer for the festival, Snow said.

"I am thrilled to be part of the Lake Chelan Pirate Fest Summer Event Series," Snow said. "We love to bring the enchanting world of Captain Chelan and the Lake Chelan Pirates to our guests."

"This vibrant festival is a celebration of pirate lore, mythical creatures, and community spirit, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Chelan," he said.

This year, festival organizers had the goal to make the event bigger, better, and more.

"As such we have created the largest Pirate Carnival in Chelan County this summer," Snow said. "We have new ride additions to include the debut of our new Pirate Ship ride. We have also added our own Pirate DJ to bring music to the carnival grounds and we are excited to add our new Pepsi Pirate Stage and Free Concert Series throughout the Carnival weekend on August 16-18, 2024 starting at 6 p.m."

Paradise Amusements will provide rides, games, and food for the Pirate Kids Carnival, which will be held at Leffler Field, 440 E Wapato Way, Manson. For carnival hours and ticket pricing, visit LakeChelanPirateFest.com.

The Lake Chelan Pirate Fest™ is produced by the Lake Chelan Tourist Center, a Washington State non-profit. Event proceeds support Lake Chelan community events and student programs throughout the year.

Quinn Propst: 509-731-3590 or quinn@ward.media.