The Pirates will Raid

Has become a familiar sight to people living in, and visiting the northwest. It's been seen on walls, windows, reader boards, marquee's, and even on the side of the Goodyear Blimp one warm summer evening many years ago ....

The Pirates for 40 years have always had entertainers in the group, some good, some almost good, and some we furnish a bucket that enables them to carry their music.

Many restaurateurs and tavern owners realized this early on and during Seafair they request the Pirates to visit their place of business, entertain their customers with songs, laughter, and just plain foolishness and in return will provide us with a lunch or dinner at their expense. This works well for all concerned ... where else could you find a DUKW load of fun and romance willing to sing for its supper?

Approximately three weeks before our appearance up go the raid cards stating the date and time of our arrival, (which is fair for those not wanting to participate, they can stay home and miss all the fun) and at that appointed hour you will see the DUKW lumbering up to the establishment cannon roaring, pirates hanging from her side with swords flashing, Captain Kidd bellowing orders to his men as they rush inside making way for the Captain and Davy Jones, they will sing songs, mingle with and talk to the customers, "Pin" the ladies, make rash promises, tease some, make honorary pirates of others, and at all times try to promote the festival known as Seafair..

Some of the restaurants have their beat crowds of the year during these sessions and make a point to be sure and include them on our schedule for next year, which we will do if at all possible.

The Doghouse has had the welcome mat out for us almost from the beginning, first with Bob Murray and presently Laurie Gulbransen provide our annual Davy Jones Banquet, usually held on the Thursday evening during Seafair. This is whereas many past Captain Kidds and Davy Jones as can be locate, get suited up in the costumes from their year and lie to each other about who had the "Best'' year. Hell, everyone knows it was 19... Well I do know that starting around 7:00 p.m. a person can see a lot of feathers and hear lots of exaggeration that night. Ivar Haglund always invited us on Sunday for lunch with a big spread and a little grog. The Old Marie's in Greenwood (now called Baranoff's) had so many people attend that it was hard to find a seat. When the Ship's Cafe was operating, the Willard's always had a crowd that looked forward an our arrival each year. Ozzie's on lower Queen Anne, the Windjammer and the Canal in Ballard, the EI Gaucho, the Mirabeau, Girvan brothers on the dock, and the Admiral Benbow Inn are just a few that have invited us over the years, but each restaurant where raid signs were displayed, filled with customers and a good time is had by all.

In the Early 1960's the parade committee experimented with sending the Pirates through the parade route 15 minutes before the start of the grande parade the theory being that we would cause a little excitement and loosen up an already relaxed crowd so they would know that things were happening and they could settle down and enjoy. Well it backfired! Because those who arrived a little late missed the Pirates and complained to Seafair enough that we were requested to ram the parade a second time, which we did. Presently we try and do it just once at the midway point of the Torchlight Parade.


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