Calling all sailors — get ready to trim your sails and hit the rails, because the race is on next month in Belhaven. After two years away, Pirates on the Pungo, Beaufort County’s premiere regatta, will return May 17-19 and early registration continues through next Wednesday.

“We’re looking for about 30 boats,” said Pirates on the Pungo organizer Diana Lambeth said. “The early registration ends May 1, and they all sign up the day before May 1. Right now, we have boats coming from Washington, New Bern, the Greensboro area and Virginia.”

Come what may, Lambeth said that this year’s event is on for certian. Two days of sailboat and dinghy races, along with shore-side festivities for seadogs and landlubbers alike, will mark the weekend. The event kicks off with the Captain’s Reception and entertainment on Friday evening at the Belhaven waterfront with appetizers and beverages.

On Saturday, a breakfast and skipper’s meeting will precede the racing, which begins at 12:30 p.m. The Buccaneer Bash and Dinner Dance will take over the Wilkinson Center, featuring food, beverages and entertainment from The Main Event Band.

“We encourage the locals to come,” Lambeth said. “I would definitely encourage anyone who loves to dance to come out on Saturday night, because the Main Event Band is a great local band and they put on a really good party.”

The cost to register early is $45 per vessel, with the price increasing to $55 after May 1. Skippers registering by the deadline will have their boats’ names included on the event T-shirt. Youth participants interested in sailing in the regatta are invited to sail for free.

For those who aren’t sailing, a shore-side pass is $60, and includes access to the buccaneer bash and all meals served during the event. Tickets to the Bucaneer Bash are also on sale individually for $45, and tickets covering the Captain’s Reception and all meals will go for $25.

To learn more about the Pirates on the Pungo regatta and for links to registration, visit www.piratesonpungo.org.