We Were Kids Once Too

The Seattle Seafair Pirates were a special part of my life growing up in Seattle in the seventies. Swords dragging and clanging, sparks flying and cannons roaring were all a part of my favorite childhood memories. I would watch in amazement as the pirates paraded past me and wondered how I could be shanghaied as a cabin boy or even as a swab.

After every parade I would dream and pretend I was one of those pirates sailing the world looking for adventure and treasure. As I got a little older I would dream of pirating and leave the problems of growing up behind. As I became a man the dreams slowly faded away making room for adulthood.

In 1996 I was invited to become part of the Seattle Seafair Pirate Organization. I could not believe my childhood dreams were now reality.

My first year of pirating was very rewarding and a lot of hard work. It seemed every weekend was filled with parades or auctions held for a special need for a special child. We visited Ronald McDonald House and The Children’s Orthopedic Hospital singing and passing out pirate bears to the children and their families. This was very rewarding, all the smiles and happiness the children shared with me

The Dream On Foundation invited the pirates to entertain at a beauty pageant for challenged girls ages four to forty. There were approximately thirty contestants and the most beautiful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. My most heart wrenching moment was when one of the beauties expressed her dream to be , gaining the use of one of her arms so she could become more independent and to be able to control her own wheelchair.

You may think the pirates are just a bunch of rough tough hard case men , but I’m here to tell you there wasn’t a dry eye. The love and laughter filled the room and the pirates appreciated all of the hugs , kisses and wonderful memories from these beautiful ladies.

With all of the hard work and a year and a half with these guys, I have a greater understanding of what the pirates are all about and what they believe in.

I am very proud to be a member of this great group of men, giving so much of themselves just to brighten up the day for someone else expecting nothing in return.

The pirates awakened my childhood dreams. We are not about sailing the world and forgetting our problems. The pirates are about making people of all ages want to sail the world, leaving their problems behind even if it’s only in a dream. To be able to find that secret spot in your heart where dreams are kept and to awaken them.

So remember when you see a Seattle Seafair Pirate and you think they are acting like a bunch of overgrown kids, try to remember your secret spot in your heart where your childhood dreams are kept even if only for a moment.

Big-Boat Klasell


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