Leave the pants to the men. A pirate performer in a skirt duels her opponent as festival attendees look on.
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Leave the pants to the men. A pirate performer in a skirt duels her opponent as festival attendees look on.
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A clash of culture: A pair of pirates clutch their coffees and watch Jake Duncan Digeridoo & The Highland Rebels perform a few nautical numbers at the Bowspirt Stage.
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A clash of culture: A pair of pirates clutch their coffees and watch Jake Duncan Digeridoo & The Highland Rebels perform a few nautical numbers at the Bowspirt Stage.
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Detail of one of Michelle Thorstorm’s corset creations.
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Detail of one of Michelle Thorstorm’s corset creations.
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The Dress Like A Pirate booth (left) offered an assortment of stylish hats to accent the many different looks seen at the Portland Pirate Festival. Michelle Thorstrom answers queries about her fine line of corsets.
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The Dress Like A Pirate booth (left) offered an assortment of stylish hats to accent the many different looks seen at the Portland Pirate Festival. Michelle Thorstrom answers queries about her fine line of corsets.
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Vendors came from as far away as Utah to display their booty at the Portland Pirate Festival.
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Vendors came from as far away as Utah to display their booty at the Portland Pirate Festival.
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Baubles, beads, and other bling provide the eye (and ear!) with some fancy flair.
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Baubles, beads, and other bling provide the eye (and ear!) with some fancy flair.
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Doubloon necklaces (left) were just one of the many treasures found in vendor tents. And there is no age restriction when it comes to pirate participation.
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Doubloon necklaces (left) were just one of the many treasures found in vendor tents. And there is no age restriction when it comes to pirate participation.
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A participant in the “Sink the Ship” competition (left) has all hands on deck. Three-year-old Emily Snyder keeps her eye on the action
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A participant in the “Sink the Ship” competition (left) has all hands on deck. Three-year-old Emily Snyder keeps her eye on the action
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Captain Splinter from the BOOM Pirates prepares to lead the crowd in another drinking song.
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Captain Splinter from the BOOM Pirates prepares to lead the crowd in another drinking song.
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After losing to his female foe in a spirited display of swordsmanship, this pirate fencer asks the spectators for a few coins.
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After losing to his female foe in a spirited display of swordsmanship, this pirate fencer asks the spectators for a few coins.
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Tony Thompson and Kat Whalesby from Pirates of Treasure Island in Seattle show off their dapper duds while representing their organization at the Portland Pirate Festival.
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Tony Thompson and Kat Whalesby from Pirates of Treasure Island in Seattle show off their dapper duds while representing their organization at the Portland Pirate Festival.
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Although real cannons weren’t used in the weekend’s spectacle, large mortars were fired frequently, shaking the sky above St. John’s Bridge.
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Although real cannons weren’t used in the weekend’s spectacle, large mortars were fired frequently, shaking the sky above St. John’s Bridge.
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Husband and wife, Daron and Tara Gildow (left) coordinate in rich maroon. You can never be too prepared. This swashbuckling citizen brought his sword and gun to the party.
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Husband and wife, Daron and Tara Gildow (left) coordinate in rich maroon. You can never be too prepared. This swashbuckling citizen brought his sword and gun to the party.
In a “previous life” (which is how I like to refer to my college years), I used to dress up like a pirate. This wasn’t an everyday occurrence, but I confess that I frequented more pirate-themed parties than Charles Bukowski frequented happy hours. At the time I thought it was acceptable to wear Jolly Roger dresses and gold Mardi Gras beads as belts. Although the handy “detag” tool on Facebook has enabled me to keep such images to myself (I’m a professional now), such youthful indiscretions…
