Pirates in Paradise to Invade Key West Nov 29 to Dec 2
November 24th, 2007Key West, Florida Keys - The spiritual descendents of Blackbeard, Calico Jack Rackham, pirate queen Anne Bonny and even Captain Jack Sparrow are to drop anchor in Key West Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 29 through Dec. 2, for the annual Pirates in Paradise Festival. Designed to appeal to children and adults alike, the colorful gathering typically brings hundreds of buccaneer aficionados and re-enactors to the island city renowned for its adventurous seafaring history.
The festival schedule is to feature a plank-walking championship, living history pirate encampments, tall ship sailing adventures and pirate attacks, swashbuckling pirate antics for children and the staged re-creation of the trial of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, real-life female buccaneers who were captured in Caribbean waters in the early 1700s.
Pirates and damsels are to demonstrate their boldness and style at the third annual National Walk the Plank Championships, set for 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. During this typically hilarious (and waterlogged) test of daring, competitors are to vie for glory and bragging rights by plunging into the briny deep from the topsail Schooner Wolf, moored just off Key West’s Truman Waterfront beside the U.S.S. Mohawk Coast Guard Cutter Memorial Museum.
Plank-walkers are to be judged on their costumed attire, overall style, pleas for mercy and splash as audiences onshore cheer their favorites.
Following the quirky competition, buccaneers are to bid farewell to the annual Atlantic basin hurricane season with the Official End of America’s Hurricane Season Party. The event celebrates the Nov. 30 date deemed by the National Hurricane Center to be the close of the season that has, so far, been relatively uneventful. Highlights are to include the destruction of traditional hurricane symbols by buccaneers and real-life National Weather Service meteorologists.
The Conch Republic Pirate’s Shipwreck Ball is scheduled immediately afterward, also beside the Mohawk.
Throughout the Pirates in Paradise Festival, aspiring seafarers can experience tall ship sailing excursions aboard the Schooner Wolf and join Captain Finbar in pirate attacks on “land forces.” The Wolf departs from Key West’s Historic Seaport, which stretches along the harborfront between Elizabeth and Grinnell streets.
Pirates and wenches 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.
Fans of Blackbeard, Sparrow and other brigands are invited to meet their brethren at the Pirate Fest, Pirate Pub and Village Thieves’ Market, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.
Living history pirate encampments, including one re-creating the pirate capital of Port Royal at the Civil War–era fort, are to offer a glimpse into the buccaneering lifestyle. Planned attractions include fight circles, storytellers, treasure hunts, weapon demonstrations and activities for young buccaneers. Also on hand are to be re-enactors portraying His Majesty’s military forces sworn to fight the pirate menace.
Entertainment is to be provided by strolling minstrels and combative stuntmen, while vendors are to offer period arts and crafts as well as piratical clothing and accessories.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, visitors to Fort Taylor’s pirate village can watch the staged re-creation of the trial of infamous 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 beyond Truman Annex. A festival day 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) 292-6713.
The Pirates in Paradise schedule also features land battles between pirates and re-enactors portraying British forces at the historic fort, a sailing excursion with acclaimed authors and historians, buccaneer balls and other adventurous activities.
For more information about the festival and a complete schedule of events, visit www.piratesinparadise.com or call (305) 296-9694.
