PIRATES IN PARADISE INVADE KEY WEST THROUGH DEC.4

KEY WEST, Florida Keys - The historic seaport of Key West is a pirate stronghold through Sunday, Dec. 4, when scores of "brethren of the coast" and their followers invade the island for the annual Pirates in Paradise festival.

Settled in the early 1800s as a salvaging outpost, Key West is renowned for its seaport atmosphere and buccaneering spirit of adventure and individuality. Pirates in Paradise offers a packed roster of events for children and adults who are fascinated by the seafaring history and culture of the Florida Keys and the Caribbean.

Festival highlights are to include living history encampments featuring arts and crafts and entertainment by scores of pirate re-enactors, strolling minstrels, improvisational actors and combative stuntmen.

Among the land-and-sea spectacles scheduled during the 10-day buccaneer bash are maritime adventures aboard historic tall ships, swashbuckling events for children and the staged re-creation of the trial of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

Aspiring seafarers can experience tall ship sailing excursions and pirate attacks throughout the festival. Afternoon and sunset pirate cruises on the topsail Schooner WOLF depart from Key West's Historic Seaport. Stretching along the harborfront between Elizabeth and Grinnell streets, the lively seaport district was once the heart of the island's lucrative salvaging, turtling, sponging and shrimping industries.

The Pirates in Paradise schedule also features adventurous activities including wooden boat building demonstrations, land battles between pirates and British forces at the historic fort, buccaneer bashes and receptions.

Pirate aficionados can step back in time to join buccaneers and wenches at the Pirate Fest, Pirate Pub and Village Thieves' Market, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 4, at Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site.

Pirate re-enactors and their scurvy crews, all bedecked in colorful costumes, are to hark back to the Golden Age of Piracy with living history pirate encampments at the Civil War-era fort. Attractions are to include fight circles, storytelling, treasure hunts, weapons demonstrations and a children's pirate school. Entertainment is to be provided by pirate bands, strolling minstrels and combative stuntmen, while vendors are to offer wares including period clothing and arts and crafts.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site is located at the end of Southard Street through Truman Annex. A festival pass is $4 per adult and $2 for children under 12 with park admission. Three-day weekend passes are available for $10 per adult and $5 for children under 12, with park admission.

For more information about Pirates in Paradise, visit www.piratesinparadise.com or call 305-296-9694. For more information about lodging in Key West, call 1-800-LAST-KEY or explore this Web site.

Pirates in Paradise

Schedule of Events

5-6:30 p.m. Tall Ship Sunset Sail & Pirate Attack aboard Topsail Schooner WOLF. Meet 30 minutes before departure at Schooner WOLF at Key West's Historic Seaport. Tickets $50 per person ($25 for children under 12). Reservations required.

7-9 p.m. Key West Lighted Holiday Parade. Join the scurvy pirates for this holiday-spirited parade. Best viewing is along Truman Avenue and Duval Street. Free.

8 p.m. Schooner Wharf Bar's Pirate Party. Join Evalena, queen of the pirates, for a swashbuckling night of revelry. "Most Buxom Wench" contest to be held at 10 p.m. Foot of William Street in Key West's Historic Seaport. For more information, call 305-292-3302.

Sunday, Dec. 4

10 a.m.-noon Tall Ship Sea Battle & Pirate Attack on Fort Taylor aboard Topsail Schooner WOLF. Meet 30 minutes before departure at Schooner WOLF at Key West's Historic Seaport. Tickets $50 per person. Reservations required.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Taylor Pirate Fest, Pirate Pub and Village Thieves' Market. Featuring living history pirate encampments, His Royal Majesty's Military Forces, period clothing, arts and crafts, pirate treasure, storytellers, fight circles, treasure hunts, black powder weapons demonstrations and kids' pirate school. Entertainment includes strolling minstrels and combative stuntmen. Inside the fort at Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site, end of Southard Street through Truman Annex. Festival pass is $4 per adult and $2 for children under 12, with park admission.

10:30-10:45 a.m. Fort Taylor Pirate Battle Land Force Artillery on Parade Grounds. Witness the battle as pirates fight against their mortal enemies: the King's Royal Marines. Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site. Free with park admission. Call 305-292-6713 for more information.

Noon-4 p.m. Wooden Boat Building Demonstrations at Fort Taylor. Organized by Key Education and Bone Island Boatworks. Free with festival and park admission. For more information on boat building, contact TJ McDermott at 305-295-6551.

5-6:30 p.m. Tall Ship Sunset Sail & Pirate Attack aboard Topsail Schooner WOLF. Meet 30 minutes before departure at Schooner WOLF at Key West's Historic Seaport. Tickets $50 per person ($25 for children under 12). Reservations required.

5-9 p.m. Scurvy Crew Cast Party. On the ramparts at Historic Fort Zachary Taylor as the sun sets. Free with festival and park admission.