This past weekend was the 4th annual Old City Pirate Fest, which is put on by the St. Augustine Swashbucklers. Formed in 2001, the St. Augustine Swashbucklers started out as a pirate-loving social group, who dressed in pirate garb and went out in public, appearing at various dinners and social events.
The St. Augustine Swashbucklers are an LLC entertainment group that does work for charity. They clearly take the authenticity of their garb as seriously as their commitment to raising money for such causes as the Cancer Society, Give Kids the World, Dreams Come True, Make a Wish, Local and Various Food Banks, Society for Autism, Beach Clean ups, A1A scenic organization, St Augustine 450th, Romanza, City of St Augustine, Grumman Air, and even a yearly Christmas Toy drive.1
We were happy to pay our $7.00 admission/person admission to enjoy the Fest, which included authentically-attired pirates, pirate wenches, steam-punk pirates, gypsies, mermaids and more!
There was music, street magic, a bull-whip wielding bos’n2 who used his cat-o-nine-tails to snap twigs from the outstretched fingers of some very brave pirates. Then several canons were fired, creating an astonishing amount of noise and rolling smoke. Little boys and girls hooted or whimpered with covered ears while adults held them at a safe distance.
The courtyard was full of the delicious aroma of smoked fish and chicken cooked over an open fire.
Pirate libations were available, and artisans’ stands sold pirate garb, jewelry, ram’s horns and all sorts of gewgaws. The Bloodmobile was even on site, so you could have the unique experience of donating while being praised by salty tars!
In sum, this was another picturesque, unique event we’ve been lucky enough to experience in our adopted hometown. The St. Augustine Swashbucklers provided great entertainment. We enjoyed it to the max.
Footnotes:
1-Source, Facebook, The St. Augustine Swashbucklers
2-bos’n or boatswain is a ship’s officer in charge of crew, equipment, and crew discipline.
One Response
Don’t forget the bosun had a pipe with which he signaled all the daily activities including, but not limited to salutes to visiting dignitaries. A duty continuing to this day. Often reviled, bosuns were said to be sailors who walked on their knuckles. I was a Bosun’s mate having achieved, in my enlisted years, the rate of 1st class.