Pirates, Treasure Hunts And Family Fun – Don’t Miss The Final Pirates Of Pinehurst

I was a young teenager when Disney released their first film of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. After that, I was immediately hooked and wanted to learn everything I could about pirates. The series became a classic and delivered storylines like treasure hunting, love stories, geopolitics, and more. Plus, a lot of action is sprinkled throughout many of the sequences.        

I recently rewatched the series after not having seen it in probably a decade. Something I’ve come to appreciate about those movies is that they don’t shy away from moral quandaries of right and wrong. Instead of focusing on simple ethics, they put the viewer in a spot that compromises them as well, notably, of course, that you find yourself rooting for pirates. These movies, based on the ride at Disneyland, set off a firestorm of pirate-mania. They still capture people’s hearts today, even 23 years after the first film’s release. 

Maybe you love the history and lore of pirates as much as I do. Or maybe you could care less. But regardless of your interest, a neighborhood in Sherwood puts on a high-end, incredibly impressive pirate show throughout October. You won’t want to miss it. 

The Pirates of Pinehurst started in 2020 with neighbors on Pinehurst Court in Sherwood, who turned their neighborhood into a miraculous pirate extravaganza. Shows start Friday, October 2^nd, and run through October 30^th (no shows on Halloween). The show combines animatronics, lights, video, and more to create an immersive experience for visitors. 

October will be the last month this incredible show runs before it is retired. So definitely make the time to bring your family out to see it.  

Written and produced by the neighbors, the show runs about 10 minutes in total, which is the perfect length for families with small children. To get to the show, park near the intersection of Woodhaven and Pinehurst, then walk down to view it. The best place to see it is between Botany Bay (the pirate ship), Swan Island (the castle), Rum Island (the beach), and Port of Destiny (the pirate ship with the female captain). Please check their website for specific dates and times.  

If you are wondering why you should drive out to Sherwood for a 10-minute show, there is more going on than that. In fact, the entire block transforms into a swashbuckling pirate haven. Walking around on foot is a fun experience for everyone and is a great way to spend an evening together. 

There is also a super fun, interactive activity for the kids to play while there. According to the legend of the Pirates of Pinehurst, Captain Jack Sparrow stole a treasure trove of gold coins. But those very coins are scattered throughout the neighborhood. So, make sure your little ones are on the lookout for these pirate coins hidden on the trails and parks of Sherwood, Oregon. 

A printable Treasure Map is also available on their website to help guide the way. The gold coins will be hidden no more than 10 feet off the trail and can be seen in plain sight, or maybe located under a leaf. Around 400 of these pirate coins and 15 large medallions are hidden here throughout October and replenished every weekend—chances of finding a gold coin while out here are quite good. Once kids find a coin, they can cash it in for a special surprise.      

This experience has so many really cool parts. One is that a dedicated group of neighbors has come together, year after year, to put on something for their community. A good amount of time, money, and effort goes into this, but every October it’s a success. Because of their efforts, families get together and give their kids a memorable experience where they can take part in a treasure hunt. Since this is the last year these neighbors will put it on, you should make time to bring the kids out to see it.  

Your kids will talk about this outing all year and will definitely ask to do it again the following year. The timing is also perfect. With Halloween right around the corner, there are pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, and haunted houses. The Pirates of Pinehurst offers something that aligns perfectly with the season, but is unique enough not to feel like a stereotype. 

So, watch (or rewatch) the Pirates of the Caribbean movies for some inspiration, then make your way on out to Sherwood for the event. And maybe someone in your family will find some buried treasure.