A Pirate’s Life for Me

EVERETT – Peter Baskaron, a software engineer, said he first tasted the pirate life when the company he worked for staged a Talk Like a Pirate Day.

He no longer waits for special occasions to speak in ayes and arrrghs.

Baskaron felt right at home Saturday at the Port of Everett for the first Puget Sound Pirate Festival. The event was organized by the Seattle Swashbucklers, part of the Seattle Knights organization.

“Aye, this how I be,” said Baskaron, wearing high boots, a black shirt with puffy sleeves and a sword on his hip.

Hundreds of people came to the pirate festival and to tour the Lady Washington, a replica of the 18th-century vessel that was the first American ship to explore Pacific Northwest waters. The ship was featured in the 2003 Hollywood blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl,” where it saw duty as the HMS Interceptor.

Pirates adorned in leather, sashes and jewelry performed choreographed battles with steel swords every half hour. Onlookers gathered around, rooting on their favorite swashbucklers.

Children were sent on treasure hunts, one requiring them to get signatures from several scurvy dogs. Other pirates did tarot card readings and gave free face paintings.

Vendors sold pirate garb, trinkets, toys and books.

Nicole Harris, a member of Seattle Knights, was surprised by the good turnout. She enjoyed seeing spectators in costume as she engaged in sword fights.

“We’re really grateful for the turnout, and the people seem to be having a good time,” she said.

Cheri Pingree of Mukilteo snapped a photo of her daughter, Kerstin Orkney, 6, who posed with two pirates. One of them carried a sword nearly as big as she was.

“It’s fun, neat, and the kids are enjoying it,” Pingree said. “It’s a fun family activity.

The pirate’s life isn’t for everyone, but many can enjoy it, Baskaron said.

“You sail the seas, loot and pillage, plunder as you will, then go roam the seas some more,” he said.