“It’s not the latitude, it’s the attitude,” said Ken Johnston, the director of programs and education at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus.
He said it jokingly, but there are some serious “pirates” who will attend this weekend’s Southern Pirate Festival. One of those, Paul Poché, an ex-U.S. Marine, will be in full pirate garb. Besides his pirate act, he’ll lead children on a treasure hunt at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Besides registered pirates, vendors, entertainment, disc jockeys and stage acts will be featured, Johnston said.
Members of the Cursed Few Pirate Society, started by Poché and his wife, Anne, are expected to attend, Johnston said.
“These are people whose hobby is to dress and act like pirates,” Johnston said. “They are partners that add color and flair to our event.”
Last year about 1,000 people attended the one-day event. More guests are expected at this year’s two-day festival.
New to this year’s festival are a couple of mermaids. There will also be black powder demonstrations and a small-scale replica of the Queen Anne, Blackbeard’s ship.
PIRATE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Center Stage Gallery
Mermaid Tales: 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
Veronica Coldiron: Noon and 4 p.m.
Michelle Murillo: 2 p.m.
Main Gallery on the Monitor Stage
Belly dance performance: 11:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Billy Bones Pirate School: Noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Belly Dance Class: 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m.
Festival Stage
The Brigands: 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
The Pirate Twins: Noon, 2:30 p.m.
Capt. Mayhem Magic Act: 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.
Port Columbus Grounds
Family and Children’s Activities: Includes 18th century games, face painting, pirate ship, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Cannon Firing and Pirate Scene: 1 p.m.
Cannon Firing and Black Powder Demonstration: 2 p.m.
Cannon Firing, Pirate Battle and Treasure Hunt: 3 p.m.
