Ahoy, mateys! There be pirates in Elizabethtown. But don't worry - these are friendly pirates. It's all part of Octoberfest Pirates Plunder, which will take place on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 1 to 6 p.m. "If you are looking for an adventure, a fantasy-filled, family-fun outing, this is an event not to be missed," said Amy McEvoy, a member of LIV-ETown, which is organizing the festivities.

The idea for the event combines a traditional Octoberfest celebration with some unexpected visitors. "The theme is E-town was having an Octoberfest downtown when it was invaded by pirates looking for treasure and to recruit members into their pirate crew," explained Tony Gibble, owner of The Tatted Toy Guys and a member of LIV-ETown. "Everyone from kids to adults are able to join the pirate crew by embarking on a journey downtown through local businesses collecting their pirate attire. This activity is free to all participants."

Events will take place throughout the downtown area, said Abby Huber, owner of Charlamay's Trinkets and Treasures and a member of LIV-ETown. "The basic footprint is from Rita's on Market Street through the downtown square to the St. Peter's Church parking lot," she noted.

As Clint Gibble, owner of The Candy Unicornium and LIV-ETown member, explained, Octoberfest Pirates Plunder will feature food truck vendors in the church parking lot, a pirate band, a stilt-walking pirate, scavenger hunts, treasure hunts and street performers. A pirate encampment will offer people the chance to fight a pirate, and people can meet mermaids at Mermaids Cove, he said. "My Town E-Town Sticker Books will have several stickers to collect at this event," Clint remarked, adding, "The sticker book is a fun throwback to the '80s sticker book collecting. Sticker books are ... a fundraiser for LIV-ETown events."

Tony explained that the idea for the pirate event came last year when the LIV-ETown team was brainstorming a family-friendly Octoberfest celebration. Clint and Tony met a local family, Keith and Sue Mapplebeck, who, along with their son, Joseph, are pirate impersonators. Keith is also known as Doc Pyrate-Surgeon and offers community story times, which he will do at the Pirates Plunder.

The pirate event is just one of numerous community festivities organized throughout the year by LIV-ETown. "LIV-ETown, which stands for Local, Interactive, Vitality, strives to create a memorable interactive environment where participants become part of the fun," Tony stated. On Friday, Oct. 14, LIV-ETown will host a "Hocus Pocus"-themed Second Friday throughout downtown Elizabethtown. "It is themed to the popular movie 'Hocus Pocus,'" said Clint. "We will be featuring our very own Sanderson sisters as well as Billy and an interactive scavenger hunt with a mini trick-or-treat for candy by Mars Wrigley. Local Boy Scout Troop 51 and Pack 85 will be helping pass out the candy." He added that events like the Pirates Plunder would not be possible without the support of local businesses and the American Legion Post 329, which is the major sponsor.

For more information, search for "LIV_ETown" on Facebook.