Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival

May 31 – June 2, 2012

The history of this festival dates back to a ski event in 1953.  Since that point the people of Fort Walton Beach, FL have welcomed Captain Billy Bowlegs each year and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  This is a family friendly event including a pirate parade, fireworks, crafters, food, entertainment and much more.

The Billy Bowleg’s Pirate Festival kicks off with a Torchlight Pirate Parade through the streets of downtown Fort Walton Beach.  People in their pirate best roam through the streets to the festival which takes place at The Landing (139 Brooks Street).  The next day, the festival kicks into high gear, bringing entertainment, grub, grog and plenty of shopping to The Landing each day with Captain Billy and his Krewe overseeing all of the piratical festivities.

Each year a new Captain Billy is selected and that is part of the fun.  People from the community flock to the event to see who Captain Billy will be each year.  They have an unmasking ceremony each year and manage to keep Captain Billy’s identity a secret until the last moment.  Through the weekend Captain Billy acts as the Master of Ceremonies from starting the event off to fighting the militia with flintlock and cutlass in hand.

The highlight of the event is, of course, the skirmish between the Captain Billy’s men and the Mayor’s Militia.  The pirates seem to always get the upper hand, but the Mayor and his militia put up a good fight.  Along with this fantastic display, attendees are also treated to 100s of traders in merchant row, costume contests, lots of food and drink, entertainment on stages located all around the venue and activities for the kids.

Some of the kiddie activities include:

• A Kid’s Pirate Walk
• A Treasure Hunt
• An enormous fireworks display

Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival
34 Miracle Strip Pkwy
Fort Walton Beach, FL
850-244-8191
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