Admiral's Welcome to the Pirates
To all the sailors, wherever Ye may be: and to all old salts, sea lawyers, landlubbers, square-knot admirals, gun deckers, mermaids, flying dragons, spirits of the deep, devil chasers and all creatures and scavengers of the seven seas:
Know Ye:
That beginning November 26 and continuing through December 5, 2010, Cayo Hueso, capitol of the Conch Republic, will be transformed into a Caribbean pirates stronghold of days gone by. I, Admiral Finbar, First Sea Lord of the Conch Republic, Supreme Commander of Conch Military Forces and Master of the armed privateer, schooner WOLF, along with Vice Admirals Holden & Anderson, and Rear Admirals Grosscup, McNamara and Verge, welcome all intrepid navigators and nefarious Brethren of the Coast who have found their way to our fine port for Pirates in Paradise Festival 2010.
We invite you to join us for a week of carousing and hell-raising as we celebrate the glorious Golden Age of Piracy. A general call is going out to all hearty souls who wish to assist us in defending the Conch Republic ...from all enemies... animate and inanimate.
In addition to Tall Ship Sea Battles, there'll be plenty of other seafaring adventures to choose from. Pirates of all ages are invited to come aboard for an afternoon pirate sail, sunset sail or starlight cruise. Take an all day cruise to the Dry Tortugas... or grab your wetsuit and dive or sunken treasure!
Landlubbers can enjoy a salty gathering of sea folk at the Key West Maritime Holiday Party & Official End of America's Hurricane Season Party aboard the USCGC Mohawk at Truman Annex Pier on Tuesday, November 30. Author and historian Robert N. Macomber returns and will be hosting a Key West Rendevous that includes an Historic Walking Tour of Old Town and an entertaining presentation at the Top of the La Concha..."GROG...A Drinking Story.
The fun continues throughout the week with maritime receptions and parties being held at historic venues throughout the island.
On behalf of the Conch Republic Navy, we welcome you to Pirates in Paradise Festival 2010!
Admiral Finbar Gittelman, First Sea Lord
Vice Admiral Frank Holden, Third Sea Lord
Vice Admiral Sir Peter Anderson, Second Sea Lord
Vice Admiral Reef Perkins, Second Sea Lord (ret)
Rear Admiral Bill Grosscup
Rear Admiral Marci McNamara
Rear Admiral Bill Verge
Fair Winds and Full Holds!
*photos by Poppa Tony Callahan, Callahan Digital Art, Barbara Trushaw, Christine Lampe, Francis Hui, Rob O'Neal, Carol Foldvary Anderson, Michelle Murillo, Kat Epple, & Myron Rosenberg
