FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/04/09

CONTACT: JULIE McENROE
PHONE: (305)296-9694
E-MAIL: info@piratesinparadise.com

PIRATES TO DROP ANCHOR IN KEY WEST
NOV. 28 - Dec. 6

Scurvy pirates and winsome wenches are to celebrate the “Official End of America’s Hurricane Season Party” Monday, Nov. 30, as a highlight of Key West’s Pirates in Paradise Festival. The buccaneering bash, part of the Key West Maritime Holiday Party, celebrates the day the National Hurricane Center has designated the end of the 2009 Atlantic basin hurricane season.

National Weather Service meteorologists are to join the pirate crew to mark the close of the 2009 Hurricane season. Planned activities include the symbolic destruction of hurricane warning flags by the weather officials who hoist them and the seafarers who fear them.

The event is to take place at 4:30 p.m. beside the U.S.S. Mohawk Coast Guard Cutter, now a military museum docked at Key West’s Truman Waterfront, and the public is invited. Admission is free. The Truman Waterfront area can be accessed beyond the end of Southard Street past Thomas Street.

The Pirates in Paradise Festival, set for Saturday, November 28, through Sunday, December 6, is to draw hundreds of buccaneer aficionados and re-enactors to the island city renowned for its adventurous maritime history.

The festival schedule features living history pirate encampments at a Civil War–era fort, tall ship pirate sails and attacks, swashbuckling balls, museum exhibitions, nautical excursions and the staged re-creation of the trial of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read at Old City Hall on Saturday, December 5 at Noon.

There’s even a buccaneer birthday party for “Queen of Swing” Norma Miller, a longtime friend of the festival who will be celebrating her 90th birthday with a special Reception at the Key West Art Bar on Wednesday, December 2 and a Dinner & Dance at the Pier House Resort & Spa on Saturday, December 5! La Te Da will is also hosting Birthday Brunches for Norma (on Wednesday and Sunday, December 2 & 6 at Noon) and a Birthday Tribute to Norma on Sunday night, December 6. The Green Parrot Bar also will be hosting At each evening event, the Mike Emerson Southernmost Rhythm Section promises to get everyone dancing to the big band sounds Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and others.

Festival highlights are to include the fifth annual Pyrates of the Coast National Walk the Plank Championships. Bold buccaneers and daredevil damsels can vie for supremacy in this waterlogged event beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.

Plank-walkers will take the plunge from the topsail Schooner Wolf, docked at Key West’s Historic Seaport, foot of William Street at Schooner Wharf. Competitors are to be judged on their costumed attire, overall style, pleas for mercy and splash. Spectators are invited to view the marine mayhem and applaud their favorite contestants from the foot of William Street at the Historic Seaport.

Throughout the festival, 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 plying Key West waters.

The Schooner WOLF departs from Safe Harbour Marina, 6810 Front Street, Downtown Stock Island Thanksgiving Weekend. The WOLF then returns to Key West’s Historic Seaport on Wednesday, December 2, a maritime enclave that stretches along the waterfront 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.

Swashbucklers are invited to unleash their seafaring spirits at the Fort Taylor Pirate Fest & Village Thieves’ Market, scheduled 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, December 3-6, at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Organized by Friends of Fort Taylor, the Callahan Crew of the Sacred Heart, Pyrates of the Coast and a host of others, the four day Pirate Fest features pirate re-enactors and their scurvy crews recalling the Golden Age of Piracy with living history pirate encampments at the 19th-century fort. Attractions are to include fight circles, storytellers, treasure hunts, black powder weapons demonstrations and kids’ pirate games. Entertainment is to be provided by pirate bands, strolling minstrels and combative stuntmen, while vendors are to offer period arts and crafts.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is located at the end of Southard Street through Truman Annex. A festival pass is $6 per adult and $4 for children under 12 with park admission. Four-day weekend passes are available for $20 per adult and $15 for children under 12 with park admission. For more information about the piratical events at Fort Taylor, call (305) 292-6713.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, December 5, don't miss the re-creation of the trial of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, based on official trial transcripts, based on the novel by Tamara Eastman.

Other Pirates in Paradise activities include land battles between pirates and British forces at the fort, a historic walking tour with author & historian Robert N. Macomber on Tuesday, December 1, the Pirate's Choice Rum Pirate Pub Stroll with Captain's of the Devil's Triangle on Friday, December 4 and the WOLF'S Authors' & Historian's Sailing excursion with acclaimed authors, artists and historians.

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