If you create a strict dress code of pirate costumes only, then people are immediately going to become involved. Even if they are just going to put on a bandana and an eye-patch for the evening then they have at least made a small effort. Some of your ‘guests’ at your charity evening are bound to take it all far more seriously. You can be sure that, as long as you advertise the event in plenty of time, some people will go to great lengths to dress in far more realistic pirate costumes.
Perhaps, instead of having a collection bucket, you can use a wooden chest to hold all of the donations. This will stay in keeping with everything else and will look great when it is sat on the bar. It can all go further than just dressing up in pirate costumes for the evening. Why not organise some games and activities for everyone that are ‘buccaneer-orientated’? Don’t make them too serious though, they need to be fun. You should also bear in mind that some of the people wearing pirate costumes will, by now, have perhaps had a few too many… Don’t come up with anything that demands huge amounts of sobriety.
The most important thing to remember is that your charity evening is good fun for everyone who attends. If you manage to make it an event that is enjoyed by all then it may become the first of many. It is a fine balance to attain; you need to make the evening fun but everyone should also remember that it is all being done for a good cause.
Whatever charity it is that you choose to support could greatly benefit from your group of revellers in their pirate costumes. Have fun.
