PIRATES TO DROP ANCHOR IN KEY WEST NOV. 29-DEC. 7

KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- Scurvy pirates and winsome wenches are to celebrate Key West's adventurous seafaring history Saturday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 7, during the annual Pirates in Paradise Festival.

Hundreds of buccaneer aficionados and re-enactors are to drop anchor in the island city for activities including living history pirate encampments at a Civil War-era fort, tall ship pirate sails and attacks, swashbuckling balls, nautical excursions and the staged re-creation of the trial of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

Festival highlights are to include the Official End of America's Hurricane Season Party Sunday, Nov. 30. The buccaneering bash commemorates the day the National Hurricane Center has designated the end of the 2008 Atlantic basin hurricane season.

National Weather Service meteorologists are to join the pirate crew to mark the close of the season that featured Ike, Fay and Gustav among other storms. 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 p.m. beside the U.S.S. Mohawk Coast Guard Cutter. Now a military museum, the Mohawk is docked at Key West's Truman Waterfront, beyond the end of Southard Street past Thomas Street.

Bold buccaneers and daredevil damsels can vie for supremacy in the fourth annual National Walk the Plank Championships beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4.

Plank-walkers will take the plunge from the Schooner Wolf, moored off the beach at the Pier House Resort, 1 Duval St. 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 Pier House's beachfront bar.

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 Wolf departs from Key West's Historic Seaport, 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, Pirate Pub and Village Thieves' Market, scheduled 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 4-7, at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Organized by Key West's own Bone Island Buccaneers, festivities at the fort also include the annual Conch Republic Pirate's Shipwreck Ball, scheduled the evening of Friday, Dec. 5.

Pirate re-enactors and their scurvy crews are to recall the Golden Age of Piracy with living history pirate encampments at the 19th-century fort. Attractions are to include fight circles, storytellers, treasure hunts, 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.

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 $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.

Other Pirates in Paradise activities include land battles between pirates and British forces at the fort, a historic walking tour, a pirate pub crawl and a sailing excursion with acclaimed authors, artists and historians. There's even a buccaneer birthday party for "Queen of Swing" Norma Miller, a longtime friend of the festival.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.piratesinparadise.com or call (305) 296-9694.
For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539), or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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