LAKEPORT, Calif. – After a year off, “Shipwreck Day” is weighing anchor for its return to downtown Lakeport next month.

The free pirate celebration for all ages will be sailing back into town from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, in Library Park.

The event – founded several years ago as the brainchild of Suzanne Lyons, a former city council member – originally was run by the Lakeport Main Street Association.

This year, however, the Lake County Theatre Co. is producing it at Lyons’ request, according to theater company member Dennis Fay, who is the event producer.

Fay said this is the first time Shipwreck Day is taking place in the spring. Originally it was in the fall.

“The weather rained us out a couple of times so we switched it to May,” he said.

Smoke from wildland fires also had previously impacted the event, and Fay said it wasn’t held last year.

For its spring debut, Fay said Shipwreck Day will include several new offerings.

“We have made this very, very family friendly, kid friendly,” Fay explained.

To go along with its existing costume contest for adults, the event will include a costume contest for children as well as a "dress your dog like a pirate" contest. Pets must be on a leash, Fay said.

In addition, Fay said there will be a skit for children on the gazebo. An Arts Council member will have children and adults paint quilt block squares which she will then convert into a quilt for next year.

The new master of ceremonies for this year is Captain Angus, Fay said.

There will be a bunch of roaming pirate crewmates, a mermaid, all manner of artisans and specialty food vendors, he said.

Entertaining at the event will be the local group My Divas, with which his wife, Jo Fay, performs. Visitors will be able to sing along with the pirate shanties.

Fay said Shipwreck Day is a fundraiser this year for the Lake County Theatre Co.

The organization’s mission to bring live theater productions to the entire community, with a special emphasis on young people, Fay said.

They’re working to reinvigorate Lake County’s theater community, Fay said. That includes plans for a new theater at Westside Community Park.

This year, Fay said the event is being sponsored by Lake County Tribal Health, Lakeport Main Street Association, High Street Village and Amanda Lyons of Lyons Graphic & Webpage Design.

For more information, check out the Shipwreck Day Web site or contact Suzanne Lyons at 707-262-1967.

Shipwreck Day schedule

10 to 11 a.m.: Opening ceremonies, Captain Angus and My Divas
11 to 11;30 a.m.: Kids’ skit
11:30 a.m. to noon: My Divas and Captain Angus
Noon: Kids’ costume contest
12:30 to 1 p.m.: Adult costume contest
1 p.m.: Parade downtown
1:30 to 2 p.m.: Pirate doggie costume contest
2 p.m.: Captain Angus
2:30 p.m.: My Divas
3 to 4 p.m.: Blanket prize, Captain Angus, My Divas, Scuttle the ship

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.