COCOA BEACH, Florida — The 2015 Cocoa Beach Pirate Fest will take place at the International Palms Resort located on 1300 North Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach, Florida on Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission is free.

The pirate fest will feature arts & crafts and pirate-themed vendors, food & beverage, a Living History Pirate Encampment, Live Mermaids, Sword Fighting, Treasure Hunts, Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship, Live Pirate Music & Entertainment, and black powder flintlock and cannon demonstrations.

Kids will have fun with an interactive treasure hunt and can watch or participate in a water cannon battle in a large knee-deep pirate themed pool. Those who keep a weather eye, may even see a beautiful mermaid basking in the very same pool.

New this year, there will be even more kids activities courtesy of Fun 4 Space Coast Kids, Macaroni Kid of North Brevard, and Space Coast Kids Discovery Center who will invite children to dig for treasure and will also be bringing out their very own kid friendly pirate ship. Also new to the festival this year, there will be an opportunity for kids and adults to show their marksmanship and compete using fully functional and kid safe crossbows. While many interactive activities are free, some do require a small fee or a welcomed donation.

Celebrity artists Don Maitz, creator of the Captain Morgan Spiced Rum Character and Michael Noles who is famous for his decades of work with Disney. Both artists will be on hand in the Dolphin Room signing autographs and selling their artwork. Don Maitz will be signing event posters while supplies last.