CLEAR LAKE —  Avast ye! Pirates are coming to Iowa this weekend.

A new event on Clear Lake’s packed summer events calendar is the Iowa-Minnesota Pirate Festival. The event features nautical lore, food vendors, merchants, demonstrations, living history and lots of pirate talk. You might even see some landlubbers walk the plank. Costumes are encouraged for this festival, which runs Friday to Sunday.

The Pirate Festival happens at PM Park, a lodge and restaurant at 15297 Raney Drive.

Friday features a pirate party from 7 p.m. to midnight that includes a treasure hunt, dancing, costume contest and other contests. There is even a tattoo contest with prizes for men and women.

The tavern trio of Orckes & Trolles plan to sing pub songs of the pirates. The Bawdy Buccaneers will make laughs during swordplay, and pirates will get to enjoy a fire show, too.

Saturday and Sunday are slated to have three stages of entertainment from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. There will be craftsmen making items such as leather, rope and glass and historical exhibits, in addition to merchants and food and beverage vendors.

The children’s stage will have stamping and other crafts, magic shows and performances.

The main stage will have performing knights, singing pirates and belly dancing, in addition to a treasure hunt and more contests.

The website www.iowaminnesotapiratefest.com has further information. The site describes a pirate festival as “a state fair from the 16th century.” The Iowa-Minnesota Pirate Festival is aimed at kids and adults alike who like pirates.

The pirate party on Friday has a $3 cover charge. Access to the festival on Saturday and Sunday is $7.50 for adults and $5 for children. Landlubbers are welcome.