The Pirate Ship

One of my favorite parts of attending the Georgia Renaissance Festival (GRF) is visiting the Pirate Ship!

Imagine with me if you will walking amongst the shops at the GRF.  You make it down towards the jousting arena and all of a sudden, in the middle of the scene, half of a pirate ship!  And I don’t mean a building that has a sail tied to the roof.  It is not a shed with a prow.  It is not a hut with a gang plank.  This is a replica of a real live ship.  It has a mast… and sails… and a deck…. and a hold… and a plank… and it is fantastic.  Then you go inside and it is even better than imagined.  The inside of the ship is a shop, a store full of swords and piratey goodness.

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First things first, they have everything, from pirate style weapons and accessories to fantasy weapons.  Their crew knows their merchandise and they are not afraid to let you handle the steel, providing you are old enough.  And if you find that piece that you just must buy they will even take the time to piece tie it for you so that you can wear it out.  In the main hold of the ship is all of the best merchandise:  daggers, axes, swords, everything.  And be sure not to miss the cases around the center of the ship, they contain some incredible pieces that are too small and precious to place on the walls.  This is also the only shop on site where you can buy handcuffs (some fur lined) and riding crops.  Just saying.

Beside the main hold is their bargain barn.  The bargain barn is a 10 dollar shop where everything is… wait for it… $10!  Really.  All of the merchandise is tacked to the walls and it is all 10 bucks.  From axes to daggers you will not find a better deal then the $10 store.  Don’t ask what the price is for that dagger!  It is $10.

While you are in The Pirate Ship, make sure to get a ticket to the Pirate Auction.  Don’t worry about not knowing when and where it is because someone in the shop is going to make sure you get a ticket and that you know all of the particulars.   Just in case you are concerned though the auction usually occurs in the afternoon and takes place around the side of the ship, look to the gang plank.  Captain Matt and his crew mount the deck of the ship and get ready for one of the best shows at the fair and some great deals.  Captain Matt takes to the plank and after explaining the rules (such as, make sure you are not standing in the gravel and blocking the road) the auction begins.  Some of the sales are traditional auction style.  Here is the item, who is willing to give the pirates the most money for it.  Some of the items go up during the “Trust the Pirate” section of the auction.

“Trust the Pirate” is the best part of the whole affair and by far their best game.  When asked who is willing to “Trust the Pirate” for a certain amount of money, hands begin to fly into the air.  They are counted as fast as they go up and those people hand over their cash for an unknown item.  Everyone is always rewarded for trusting the pirates.  The crowd gets into it and the pirate crew gives away more and more merchandise.  A great time is had by all.  The crowd departs with plenty of booty and the pirate crew has filled its coffers for another day.  A shop and  show all in one.

Ladies remember that bouncing is always rewarded.

The Pirate Ship
Atlanta, GA
404-992-7678
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They also have a booth at DragonCon in Atlanta so if you miss them at the faire, this is another place to go check them out.  Say hi to the crew, especially Captain Matt. They are fantastic at what they do and they help make your day while visiting the Georgia Renaissance Festival.

-Bobaganush the Pirate