Washington pirate festival

Local fishing boats, decorated with pirate accoutrements, bob in the waves. A gazebo sheltered singers and musicians. The reenactors also provided a small troop of redcoats for the pirates to harass. The festival, in true pirate fashion, provided a Buccaneers Bash on Friday night, with a tent full of music and loud music. On Saturday, the tall ship Windy II during my first time at the fest sailed into the harbor with black powder cannons blazing.

Much cheering. Toasts of rum. I will say that the variety of vendors covered a lot of ground. Vendors claim to have all done well. The only exception? A soap merchant. Soap and pirates… maybe this one was doomed from the start. Fireworks over a pirate event. Truly grand. In between the educational events, is sampling historically accurate grog research?

Small children dressed in finery from the Disney Store, reenactors who had slaved over their wool and linen garb for dozens — if not hundreds — of hours, moms who grabbed a pattern from Simplicity and a dozen yards of stripped fabric, and biker-types who dress like this every day and are just a little scary-looking.

We are so sorry to pass along the bad news. Hopefully in the future we can find a port where we and our money are welcome. Please keep posted. City Administrator Mark Grams said that organizer Kimberly McCulloch continually failed to meet requests from the city for certain procedures to be followed in coordinating the fest.

Port Washington Pirate Festival hit rocky waters earlier this year as McCulloch and city officials clashed about the event's structure and reputation. The festival had outstanding bills owed to vendors, and the city was upset by the number of calls it's received from those parties hoping to be paid; many people don't understand the city isn't actually in charge of the event.

The city had also previously requested the names and contact information for others involved in the process so that they could all be on the same page; they said McCulloch did not provide this information by the date they requested.

McCulloch told Patch on Tuesday that payments are being made to vendors who still have outstanding bills, and that a lawsuit against the organization has been resolved; she also said the requests for information were unfair. Douglass Biggs pointed out that the city did not take any action to cancel the fest, but rather none of the licenses need for the event were submitted for city approval.

McCulloch told Patch she tried to turn in the license applications during a meeting with Grams and Mayor Tom Mlada, but that the two officials refused to take it. Mlada called this statement absolutely false. McCulloch told Patch on Tuesday night that she is disappointed that the she and city officials couldn't find a way to have a more positive relationship. I know the 'blues' name scares people, but you'll be surprised what we can do.

Feast like Kings and Queens as you eat your way through Merriwick! Juicy turkey legs, delicious crepes, tasty meat pies, refreshing drinks, delectable pickles and dozens of other delightful treats are available for your enjoyment! Whimsical creatures and our beloved Faerie Court offers dancing and capering for the young and young at heart! Scoundrels of all ilk offer rambunctious shenanigans, fun for all ages! From the Villagers to the Noble Court, we are sure all will enjoy our quaint village; we await your arrival at the merry celebration of Her Majesty, Mary, Queen of Scots whilst Queen Elizabeth is on diplomatic visits elsewhere.