BEWARE; THE PIRATES ARE COMING!
SEATTLE — The Pirates take Alki Beach on June 28th! The annual Seafair Pirates Landing at Alki beach is going to be bigger than ever—as they celebrate their 76th Anniversary!
The Seattle Seafair Pirate Landing signals the official beginning of Seafair (and the unofficial start to summer) and introduces the city to its new Pirate Captain Kidd and Davy Jones. A tradition in Seattle for 76 years, the Pirates will be storming the beach to steal the key to the city on Saturday, June 28th. The pirates will land around 1:30 p.m. with festivities beforehand. Once on the beach, the Pirates will entertain kids of all ages, with treasures galore to share.
According to incoming Captain Kidd Big Al “Owl” Donohue, “the annual Alki Beach Landing is our favorite day of the year as a pirate—and we have a few tricks up our sleeves this year to make it even more memorable. We love storming the beach so’s to dig up our treasure. And our attorney has instructed me to promise not to kidnap any kids this year and share some of our treasure with them. . . . But I can’t guarantee safe passage to the adults!” Owl also admitted that although the Pirates do not intend to kidnap any kids during the landing, he could not give assurances they would not make anyone walk the plank. When asked about his time as Captain of the Pirates, outgoing Captain Kidd Jay “DD” Albrecht stated, “good riddance—these pirates are stinky and lazy. I’m ready to be done with these scallywags.” Joining Captain Kidd at landing will be newly minted Davy Jones Andy Magee.
The Seattle Seafair Pirates are a scurvy bunch of rogues who annually participate in countless parades, visit hospitals, assisted living facilities, and work to promote Seattle and Seafair year-round. Made up of members from our community, they tirelessly dedicate themselves to bringing joy (and terror) to children of all ages. The Pirates create memories!
The Seafair Pirates are led by Captain Kidd and Davy Jones. Captain Kidd is elected by the Ale & Quail Society to lead their pirate operations. Davy Jones, an honorary Seafair Pirate, is chosen from the Seattle community to sail with the Pirates for one year.
The Pirates have been scaring kids and delighting the Puget Sound since forming in 1949. That year, the younger members of the Washington State Press Club’s action committee, the Ale & Quail Society, founded the Seattle Seafair Pirates. The members of the Society then joined together with other community leaders to create Seattle’s first Seafair festival in 1950. Since that time the Seattle Seafair Pirates have directed their energies and talents toward the promotion and production of Seattle’s annual Seafair festivities. Every summer since 1950 the Seafair festivities have begun with the annual proclamation of Davy Jones’ renewed warfare upon the upstart, so-called “King” Neptune. In due course the city falls and the Mayor hands over the keys to the city at the Pirate’s Landing.
