By: JOHN RAIFSNIDER - For the North County Times | ∞
A ship hand on the Spirit of Dana Point gestures at pirates near the Jolly Roger Restaurant in the harbor during a mock battle Saturday during Harbor Days in Oceanside. The annual event continues today with tall ships, arts and craft exhibits, music, food, and other family activities.
OCEANSIDE ---- Nary a shot was fired, matey. Nor a sword drawn in anger. Still, Captain Jack hauled in a boatload of goodwill plunder Saturday at the Oceanside Harbor Days festival.
Orange County actor Vince Bartolone, aka Captain Jack, captured the attention of many festival attendees and stole the show as one of the star attractions at the pirate-themed event, which began Friday and wraps up this afternoon.
As his alter ego, Captain Jack Sparrow, the lead character from the immensely popular "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie series, Bartolone thrilled children and wowed more than a few parents as he strolled along the pier at the harbor during a children's fishing derby.
Bartolone began dressing as the character some three years ago after the release of the first of the three-movie series. He said Saturday that he was thrilled to be part of the Oceanside festival and took his time chatting with children participating in the fishing derby, one of Saturday's main events.
"This is a great event for everyone, especially for the kids," said Bartolone.
Dozens of youngsters in the derby were vying for the grand prize of a new bicycle, and parents were jousting for a better angle for a picture of the Johnny Depp look-alike.
"What a wonderful day ---- you couldn't ask for a more perfect day than we have today," he said. "I'm just thrilled to be a part of this."
The visit by Captain Jack came just minutes after 11-year-old Noe Ramos caught a 15-ounce smelt that put the Rincon Elementary School sixth-grader in the early lead of the fishing derby.
Buoyed by his catch, Noe was one of the few kids on the pier nonplussed by the wannabee pirate, giving full attention to catching fish.
"After I'm done here, I want to go see the Marines," Noe said as he gestured to the bandstand at the harbor's entrance where the 1st Marine Division band from Camp Pendleton was playing.
"I want to see them up-close because I like what they do for our country ---- they protect us and keep us safe," he said. "I like that."
The Marine band received a standing ovation as they took to the main stage at the harbor.
Band director Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Stone beamed as his charges played.
"They sound great, don't they?" Stone asked as guest trumpeter Chief Warrant Officer James Ford of Headquarters Marine Corps, Quantico, Va., played a rendition of "How Great Thou Art" to the rousing approval of the crowd.
North County newcomers Chris and Jocelyn Chapman said they loved the atmosphere of the festival and the charm of the harbor.
"I love all the arts and crafts booths they have set up here," said Jocelyn Chapman, who recently relocated to San Marcos from Idaho with her husband, Chris, and their young son, Quentin.
"Having this event so close to water and so near the boats ---- it's great," she said. "That's one thing we don't have too many of in Idaho ---- we don't have very many boats. So to be able to walk along the harbor and see all they have to offer here is really a treat for us."
Parking for the event is at a premium. Festival officials urge visitors to use the free shuttle available from the Oceanside Transit Center at Seagaze and Tremont streets.
The free open-air festival continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today in the harbor area, west of Interstate 5 at Harbor Drive. The "Nail and Sail" competition gets under way at 10:30 a.m., with creatively costumed competitors building boats for two hours. The boats will be judged immediately afterward, and they'll hit the water at 2 p.m. to see if they're seaworthy.
There also will be live music, a magic show and other activities.
What? wrote on Sep 16, 2007 1:09 PM:They wanted to call it the nail and sink but it didn't rhyme. BLUB Blub blub..... Just kidding. Great fun.
Mister Mac wrote on Sep 16, 2007 9:57 PM:Ahoy! I am that big, bald scurvy dog in the photo. I must say that this was one of the most fun events that I have attended. Everyone, especially the kids, seemed to be into the spirit of the occasion and really responded well to us pirates. I am already looking forward to next year! Kudos to all!
Osider wrote on Sep 17, 2007 8:29 AM:This event is a joke becuase, just try and find parking. Parking was non existant and the city better get there act together when they build up the downtown area too. There was far less people at this event than I have seen in many years. I am sure parking was one of the issues for this.
endkaos wrote on Sep 17, 2007 1:40 PM:As with all events as popular as this one has become, parking is going to be difficult if visitors don't plan. If you want up close parking, you should plan on arriving early. The shuttle buses were terrific and efficient. There were very little lines for the buses. Also, people were brought into the spirit event by having the pirates entertain them onboard the buses. Good job to the chamber employees and volunteers. I believe this event was successful with few complaints for an event this size.
Myth wrote on Sep 17, 2007 2:11 PM:A truly wonder-filled event. Merci, to the double-decker buses for making it possible to see it all. The TallShips were great and all us "good" pirates had a fantastic time with the kids. Thanks to all the participants that made the Oceanside Harbor Days a success!
To "Osider" wrote on Sep 17, 2007 3:35 PM:Too bad for you. We got to the event on Sunday around 12:30, and got a parking spot right by the Jolly Roger. It was a great event, and if you have any common sense, it would tell you, of course parking might be difficult... it's a community event where lots of people go to!
Karen wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:23 PM:What a wonderful weekend we had - the addition of pirates and a ship battle YEAH - can't wait till next year - i got there early both saturday and sunday and had no problem finding parking - i did hear a couple folks mention parking lots were full - what about the high school down the road - i see bigger and better things in the future for this event and pirates
Claudette wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:55 PM:We hope that this event will continue to repeat each year, and that those pirate re-enactors, Port Royal Privateers will come back again and again. They were the hit of the event and added lots of excitement for the kids and adults alike. Thank you.
O.C. Captain Jack wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:50 PM:"Aye!! Its been a "Blast" bein' the M.C. of the Oceanside Harbor Days event for the last two years. My thanks to all the people who've made me an' my crew feel like we're part of their family. I'm glad I've made such a "Splash"(You'll understand if you saw the "Nail n' Sail" races) in the Harbor.. I just hope those "Bloody Pirates" dont make me "Walk the plank" next year..A toast..To Oceanside...Cheers..Now, "Drink up mee `eardys yo ho"....Savvy.
Susan wrote on Sep 19, 2007 9:59 AM:I have never seen the harbor so animated!! It was a wonderful event, and the double decker buses will be even more popular next year. I would love to see the boats in the slips get involved, perhaps a contest, (judged by the pirates of course) for the best decorated "pirate ship"!! Definitely a great event and huge success.
Victoria wrote on Sep 19, 2007 1:57 PM:What a wonderful addition the pirates were! The battle at the Jolly Roger was as exciting as the shows you see in Las Vegas. I was able to get an up close viewing, but others were not so lucky. Afterward, we went into the Jolly Roger for some delicious food. After all that I barely had time to make it to all the merchants, but I did find some lovely things to buy. Well done.
Redbirdi wrote on Sep 19, 2007 4:54 PM:Oceanside Harbor Days... Pirates Plundering the Harbor! It was a great exciting event. Captain Jack is always a big kid's favorite. I would like to hear more about the pirates attack. See more photos of those scurvy pirates blowing up each other, etc. Can't help loving pirate's action!
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