Pirates In Paradise To Invade Key West

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Scurvy pirates and winsome wenches are to kick off Key West’s Pirates in Paradise Festival with the “Official End of America’s Hurricane Season Party” set for Thursday, Nov. 30. The buccaneering bash celebrates the day the National Hurricane Center has designated the end of the 2006 Atlantic basin hurricane season.

National Weather Service meteorologists are to join the pirate crew in marking the close of the so-far relatively uneventful season. Planned highlights include the symbolic burning of hurricane warning flags and a variety of hurricane-themed games of chance benefiting hurricane relief programs.

The event is to be held on the beach at Key West’s Pier House Resort & Caribbean Spa, One Duval St., and the public is invited. Admission is free.

The Pirates in Paradise Festival, scheduled to continue through Sunday, Dec. 3, is to draw hundreds of buccaneer aficionados and re-enactors to the island city renowned for its adventurous seafaring history.

The festival schedule features living history pirate encampments, tall ship pirate attacks, swashbuckling events for children and the staged re-creation of the trial of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

Highlights are to include the second annual National Walk the Plank Championships. Bold buccaneers and daredevil damsels can vie for supremacy in this waterlogged event beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, as the “opening act” of the “Official End of America’s Hurricane Season Party.”

Plank-walkers will take the plunge from the topsail Schooner Wolf, moored just off the beach at the Pier House Resort & Caribbean Spa. Competitors are to be judged on their costumed attire, overall style, pleas for mercy and splash.

From Friday through Sunday, aspiring seafarers can experience tall ship sailing excursions aboard the Schooner Wolf and join Captain Finbar in pirate attacks on “land forces” and unsuspecting vessels in the harbor.

The Wolf departs from Key West’s Historic Seaport, a maritime enclave that stretches along the harborfront between Elizabeth and Grinnell streets. Pirate and wench wannabes can set sail for $50 per adult and $25 per child under age 12. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (305) 296-9694.

The schooners Island Belle and Liberty are to offer excursions as well.

Swashbucklers are invited to unleash their seafaring spirits at the Pirate Fest, Pirate Pub and Village Thieves’ Market, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 1-3, at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.

Pirate re-enactors and their scurvy crews are to recall the Golden Age of Piracy with living history pirate encampments at the Civil War-era fort. Attractions are to include fight circles, storytellers, treasure hunts and weapons demonstrations. Entertainment is to be provided by pirate bands, strolling minstrels and combative stuntmen, while vendors are to offer arts and crafts.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, visitors to Fort Taylor’s buccaneer stronghold can watch the re-creation of the trial of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, based on official trial transcripts.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is located at the end of Southard Street through Truman Annex. A festival pass is $4 per adult and $2 for children under 12 with park admission. Three-day weekend passes are available for $10 per adult and $5 for children under 12 with park admission.

For more information about the piratical events at Fort Taylor, call (305) 292-6850.

The Pirates in Paradise schedule also features adventurous activities including wooden boat building demonstrations, land battles between pirates and British forces at the historic fort, buccaneer bashes and a sailing excursion with acclaimed authors, artists and historians.

For more information about the festival and a complete schedule of events, visit www.piratesinparadise.com or call (305) 296-9694.

October 26, 2006   Posted in: United States SouthEast