As pirates of all ages descend on Panama City Beach for the Pirates of the High Seas Fest over Columbus Day weekend, the destination announces a special geotour treasure hunt. Launching during the fifth annual Pirates of the High Seas Fest (Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11), the Panama City Beach Pirates of the High Seas GeoTour will be available year round, offering a pirate-themed geotour scavenger hunt of the World's Most Beautiful Beaches.

"Columbus Day weekend is synonymous with pirates as well as fantastic fall weather here in Panama City Beach," shares Dan Rowe, president, and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. "Celebrating our fifth installment, we are thrilled to welcome visitors for Pirates of the High Seas Fest and roll out a geocaching tour treasure hunt throughout the year."

The new Panama City Beach Pirates of the High Seas GeoTour is a geocaching trail, offering a pirate-themed adventure throughout the destination's attractions, sites, and parks. A treasure map is provided in the Panama City Beach Visitors Information Center or can be downloaded at www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/geotour with GPS coordinates at www.geocaching.com. Caches are located throughout Panama City Beach and clues in the caches help participants complete a treasure map that leads to the treasure of Captain Dominique Youx. Various articles of pirate gear can be found along the trail to be worn on the journey.

The fifth annual Pirates of the High Seas Fest includes 3 fireworks shows, sword fight reenactments, treasure hunts, pirate parades, music, and enough pirate-themed fun to guarantee an exciting weekend for the entire family. This year's events will take place at the Grand Lagoon, Pier Park and the City Pier of beautiful Panama City Beach. All events are free and open to the public, including fireworks each evening and musical performances by national touring acts the Caribbean Chillers, Trop Rock Junkies, Todd Sparks Band, Tom Mason, and the Blue Buccaneers, and Heat and the Zydeco Gents.

The spirit of the revelry and love of food and drink that characterizes pirate lore is alive and thriving in Panama City Beach during this special event. Visitors to the area get to help reenact two pirate battles, mirroring the legend of Dominique Youx and his krewe of privateers fighting to defend Panama City Beach from invaders intent on stealing the town's jewels and kidnapping the city's mayor.

In keeping with the family-friendly spirit of Panama City Beach, these events welcome attendees of all ages, and the one thing you ARRRR certain to experience is a whole lot of FUN.

Friday, Oct. 9, 2015

• Early activities kick off at the Festival Village at 4:00 p.m., with pirate-themed activities.

• Children's Costume Contest and Parade (5:00p.m. - 5:30p.m. at Pier Park)
Fun for little buccaneers as they don their best pirate attire.

• Treasure Drop & Entertainment (5:30p.m. - 8:00p.m. at Circle Stage & South Stage)
Beginning with the children's parade at 5:30, followed by the opening ceremonies, South Stage will host the Conch Sounding and dramatic reading of the Legend of Dominique Youx by the Emerald Coast Theater Company, immediately followed by the Treasure Drop, with 8-thousand gold and jewel-colored beach balls dropped from above S. Pier Park Drive, as well as musical entertainment from Trop Rock Junkies on the Circle Stage.

• Entertainment and Second Line Parade (7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Pier Park and Circle Stage)
Live music on the Circle stage features Trop Rock Junkies. The Village Brass Band leads the Second Line Parade as in winds through Pier Park in a colorful Mardi Gras style celebration for families and friends.

• Fireworks Show (8:30 p.m. at City Pier)
A fireworks show from the City Pier is sure to excite the entire family.

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015

• Festival Village (10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. at Grand Theatre Plaza)
The full day of fun offers children a chance to show their swagger with fun pirate-themed activities and entertainment.

• Circle Stage (12:00 p.m. - 2 p.m. at Grand Theatre Plaza)
Music by Tom Mason & The Blue Buccaneers and Tony Vegas on the Circle stage.

• Pirate Invasion (2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Pier Park)
The Pirates of Dominique Youx defend Panama City Beach from an invasion of Pier Park from the beach.

• Costume Contest, Parade and Live Music (3:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. at Circle Stage)
A chance for adult pirates and wenches to strut their stuff on the Circle Stage followed by live music from Heat and the Zydeco Gents, the Main Parade on Pier Park Drive and one last concert featuring the Caribbean Chillers.

• Fireworks (8:30 p.m. at City Pier)
All pirates are invited to return for the second night of breathtaking fireworks, again launched over the beach, from the City Pier.

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015

• Victory Celebration (Grand Lagoon)
A day-long celebration, including a second, final defeat as the city's defenders take to boats to chase off a second pirate invasion. The day's activities include a Grand Lagoon treasure hunt, fishing tournament, live music, kids' pirate-themed activities, food and drink specials at area restaurants, pirate ship flotilla, and a fireworks show in the evening.

Exact times are subject to change. For more information about the Pirates of the High Seas Fest and other special travel packages visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.