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Part Two: Geographically
Around the world, by region:
North America
Canada
Alberta
Edmonton - "On this talk like a pirate day, we Pastafarians at the University of Alberta shall be hosting our Liquid Rationalism. There we shall be praising His Noodleness by donning pirate garbs, and drinking rum.This'll all be happening at the campus tavern: Dewey's from 15h00 till we get kicked out or be too drunk to stagger. This is hosted by the scallywags of the University of Alberta Atheists and Agnostics from Edmonton, Alberta (where the Last Saskatchewan Pirate once sailed)."
British Columbia
Salmon Arm - The Salmon Arm Health Centre's preschool speech and language program threw a Talk Like A Pirate Day party for children. Staff will be dressing up like Pirates, teaching the kids the chorus from the Children’s Pirate Shanty, playing “Ship to Shore” and handing out eye patches as well as information about communication development in young children.
Fort Langley - The BC Renaissance Festival's Crew of the Jade Dragon hosted a TLAP event at the Fort Winery. More info can be found here
Vancouver - TLAPD ushered in the fifth annual "Lowbrow on the High Seas" Pirate Arrt Show! at Pat's Pub and Brewhouse, 403 E. Hastings on Sept. 19, sponsors wrote "Hoist yer mainsails and git yer arse to Pat's Pub on Sept 19th for Vancouver's premier pirate themed Arrrt Extravaganza. Tis a night of fantastical art,musical merriment and costumery featurin' worldy buccaneers and gentlewomen of fortune from BC and exotic shores."
Ontario
Orillia - "Me wench and me are celebratin' 10 full years of conjugal bliss this very day of September 19. In true pirate fashion I have abandoned her to go wreak havoc on a small village with my crew while she must survive in the wilderness alone with the chillun's with nothing to help her but several bottles of grog." -- Michael Martyn, General Manager, Orillia Opera House
Ottawa - Capn Jeff and Lili the Wench write: "We be havin the second best party in Canada’s capital city this year (Ye all know the biggest is Canada Day). We be havin the first annual Talk Like A Pirate Day! The Buxomest Wenches and Heartiest Scurvy Dogs be in attendance to shiver the timbers of Davey Jones!!"
Ottawa - The Jolly Roger was hoisted at the RCAF Officers Mess in Ottawa, Ontario where Celtic Sea, in finest maritime attire, performed at “Downhomer Night” for Talk Like A Pirate Day. "Little does the audience know what’s in store for them for this evening as Celtic Sea will batter these scallywags, scoundrels and doxies with sailing, whaling and piratical tunes and jigs. - Cap’n Silas Odysseus Spough of the Pirate Band Celtic Sea" (See photo)
Nova Scotia
Jeddor Harbor - The Pirates are comin' back to Jeddore!!!! For the third straight year, Cap'n Crusty is callin the nefarious and nasty, the bold and bodacious, the vile and vicious, the cruel and callous, the malicious and merciless, the wicked and wanton, the ragin' and rapacious, the greedy and garrulous, and the just plain piratical buccaneers and wenches to gather at Salmon River Bridge in Jeddore Harbour on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore on Sept. 20. Events start with a Pirate Dinner on the 19th at 7:00 pm and continue on the 20th with a Parade of Pirates 'n' Wenches, a Piratical Pitched Battle with the Redcoats, and wraps up with victory celebration and dance including with cannon fire and celebratory foreworks over the waters of Jeddore Harbour. Check their Web site for more.
Lawrencetown - The Lawrencetown Library, located in tiny Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, celebrated the 2nd annual TLAPD on September 19. Pirates of all ages were invited to dress up and join us for games, songs, pirate tales, plank-walking and pirate talking. For more details, see their website.
Scotsburn - I am a Grade Primary (Kindergarten) teacher and this is how we celebrated I.T.L.a.P.Day: I went to the dollar store and picked up stuff for the treasure chest ( candy necklaces/bracelets, chocolate coins, sparkly beads, bouncy balls, etc.) I set up a pirate corner with a Playmobil pirate ship and desert island. I greeted the kids with a written message in Pirateze: 'Ahoy Me Hearty! Did you know that today is..... We are going to do pirate stuff all morning. Shiver me timbers! Capt'n Hardie'
We made pirate hats out of heavy paper and labelled them with names like Pirate Pete, Peg Leg Sue. We made eye patches with felt and elastic. We drew mustaches, grizzled beards, stitches and cuts on their faces with watercolour pencils. We took lots of pictures.
We read several great picture books: Grandma and the Pirates and Pirate Pete by Phoebe Gilman, How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long, The Pirates of Captain McKee by Julie Lawson. We talked and sang like pirates all day, used many ideas from the website. 'I'm a pirate that I be..'etc. We found a rolled up map with a message telling us 'Shiver me timbers! If ya aim to git sum booty, git yerselves out to the playground and look fer sum clues!' On the playground they found clues such as: 'Avast! Have a peek by the swings, you scallywags!' 'Ahoy! Swagger over to the teeter totter you young sprogs!' 'Head to the bridge! Ya hafta walk the plank, you scurvy dogs!' They eventually found the treasure chest filled with the booty to share. Lots of excitement!" - Captain Hardie (See photo)
Saskatchewan
At an undisclosed location - "I plan to talk like a pirate to all my stiff upper lip colleagues then go to the nearby tavern an order beer in a pirate voice - Saturday I will have a pirate hang-over bbq." - Jéwell Kaye
Balgonie - "Every year I don my pirate apparel and spread the joy of the day to my students. This year I am hoping to have the most participation from amongst the student body who are celebrating it as well." - Patrick K.
Yukon
Colomac Gold Mine - Jackie Chase writes: "I work in a Gold mine 300 miles north of Yellowknife and this will be the 3rd yr in a row I have celebrated Talk like a Pirate day...always alone though... : This year I have convince several workers to join me in the celebrations and I am supplying the t shirts for all."
United States
Nationwide
Operation Care Packages, the volunteer group dedicated to making sure US soldiers deployed overseas get mail from home, is encouraging schools, bars, businesses and other groups to throw Talk Like A Pirate Day parties to collect booty for overseas care packages. Visit their Web site to sign up.
The USA Network cable channel ran Disney's Dead Man's Chest on Sept. 19th in honor of TLAPD.
Alabama
Birmingham - Vincent the Pirate Librarian planned a special pirate storytime, reading all kinds of wonderful pirate books and a singing pirate songs on Sept. 19
Huntsville - The folks at WLRH (public radio for the Tennessee Valley) have been using a pirate theme most of the month to get listeners riled up for ITLAP Day. Fine Arts Specialist Ginny Kennedy has been playing pirate music and reminding listeners of the day. "As the local Morning Edition host, I too have reminded our listeners of this day. I will be in Baltimore that day looking to board a ship to loot and plunder so I'll have to wish my listeners a hearty "Ahoy, Mateys!" Thursday morning before leaving town. I'll throw in an Arggghh or two as well." -- Susan Sanderson
Alaska
Anchorage - Cap'n Keel Hall and crew will celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day on Sept. 20 aboard the Pirate Bus, setting sail at 7 p.m. from the downtown Sheraton Hotel to "unknown, sea-monster infested waters" for a night of eatin', drinkin' and pillagin', returning to port around 2 a.m. This 21-and-over event comes with a $50 fee (for bus rental, fuel and), payable in advance by Sept. 17. For reservations, call 274-4255.
Arizona
Chandler - Chandler High School science teacher David Beck planned to observe Talk Like A Pirate Day by wearing an eyepatch, reciting the pirate alphabet hourly - and showing a DVD of the Mythbusters - Pirate Myths program, as well as other pirate-themed activities. "I may even give extra credit to all who dress up or wear the eye patch, too," he writes.
Chandler - "I just wanted you to know that today at my son's school was Talk Like a Pirate Day. Not only was this day dedicated to talking like a pirate but there was a pirate play as well. I thought this was just another idea from a creative teacher, trying to entice the kids into having some fun but when I was on the internet looking around, I saw on Yahoo! the top 10 searches was "Talk Like a Pirate" so when I clicked the link, lo and behold I was sent to your website. I had no clue this was an official holiday!! I read most of the history of how this day came about and I think it's great. I can't wait for my son to come home and tell me all about the pirate day. Thanks guys for putting yourselves out there and having a great sense of humor!" -Julie S.
Chandler, AZGoodyear - Time again for Pirates of the Estrellas, at Estrella Mountain Regional Park near Phoenix. Anne Bonney, infamous pirate (and sometimes park ranger), led a pirates-in-the-desert treasure hunt to teach kids the fundamentals of pirate talk, map reading and GOLD! They followed clues to their "treasure", then tell a pirate yarn or walk the plank! Avast ye pavement dwelling coffee slurpers and have a bit o fun (the Ranger loves her pirate costume).
Lake Havasu City - The crew at Gallagher's, 3524 McCulloch, once again celebrated Talk Like A Pirate Day with appropriate food, drinks and games.
Phoenix - The producers of Blackbeard: The Musical at the Herberger Theater announced Talk Like A Pirate weekend discount discount ticket prices!. At the door, $12 student rush tickets are available for the Saturday, Sept. 20 matinee (any student, any age, with valid student ID). On-line purchases only: $25 for the Sat. Sept. 20 matinee; $28 tickets for Saturday evening. Limited numbers avalable.
Phoenix - "A 'arty bunch of us pirates here in Phoenix set sail to "Blackbeard - a new musical" (see above) This is our 4th or 5th voyage t'gether and we're bringin' some new blood into our group." -- Arrrrrrr Zeee
Tempe - The Tavern on Mill, 404 South Mill Ave. was the site of the largest pirate get together and party yet for the Arizona Corsairs. Featuring a "Talk like a pirate" contest, best Jack Sparrow look-alike contest, best Pirate costume (men and women) contest, pirate photo booth, $2 rum shot with Arizona Corsair Coin purchase. More information at www.arizonatalklikeapirateday.com
Tucson - The Tucson Hash House Harriers are throwing their second triennial Pirate Hash (they held one three years ago, the organizer left town but now he's back). More information here. The Harriers describe themselves as "a Drinking Club with a Running Problem". Three years ago the event drew 80 people dressed as pirates, running all over town. This year they're focusing on downtown Tucson, starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Arkansas
Fayetteville - Washington Count Health Dept in Fayetteville Arkansas walked the walk and talked the talk. "We have dressed up like pirates and their wenches- we are having a blast so far!!!" - Cap'n Vicki, Child Health Nurse
Little Rock - The Central Arkansas Pastafarians gathered in downtown Little Rock at the southwest corner of Markham and Scott to dress up and celebrate Talk Like A Pirate day. It turned out to be quite a day. Go, CAP!
California
Angel Island - Cap'n James Dexter, the resident volunteer and tour coordinator for Angel Island State Park in the middle of San Francisco Bay, has a proposal for any large Bay-area group lookin' for a fine place to celebrate TLAPD: "If there is a group out there who would like to celebrate TLAP Day on an actual island; that Angel Island is a perfect place to do it! ... California State Parks are in an awful way right now financially, so a large group, who wishes to have a Special Event, will help Parks to stay afloat. And after all, it is an ISLAND. Treasure hunts, Grog, Rum, Wenches (see disclaimer*), and Salmagundi can all be had and done on the jewel of the bay: Angel Island." For more information about reservin' the island for yer party, contact Capn' James at aivc@parks.ca.gov or 415-435-3522 *Disclaimer: Reference to any group based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or creed (like the Pirates' creed) is to be ignored because it is only in jest and not a pejorative
Berkeley - Cast and crew of the Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences spent TLAPD rehearsin' their upcoming production of the new musical "How I Became a Pirate," based on the book by Melinda Long and David Shannon. The show runs Oct. 5-19 at the Julia Morgan Center, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. For tickets and other information, visit http://www.activeartstheatre.org/Pirate_.html
Hesperia - Pirates 'n Treasure, 17189 Bear Valley Road Suite 120, celebrates TLAPD and the store's one-year anniversary. Come dressed as a pirate for homemade grub and other fun, including a radio remote broadcast, a Captain Jack Sparrow impersonator and free giveaways all day. On the 20th, the store will sponsore a pirate entry in the Hesperia Days Parade on the 20th of September; costumed pirates who show up to march will receive a discount coupon to the store. For more information contact pyratesntreasure@aol.com.
Oceanside - Oceanside Harbor Days coincides this year with Talk Like A Pirate Day, and our pal Jamaica Rose & the crew from No Quarter Given will be on board at the Pirates Cove, where pirate battles and a pirate dinner theater are all part of the action.
Ojai - The Ojai Pirate Faire, which bills itself as "the world's largest gathering of pirates," is Sept. 20 and 21 this year - *and Sept. 27-28* - coinciding nicely with TLAPD. Among the hearties takin part will be Evil Elvis Rose and Gunwall Matthews. " Just so happens we're campin' and talkin' like pirates and didn't even know it was Int'l Pirate Talk day. We`ll be sittin' around th' campfire with 20 friends tellin' pirate stories."
Another Ojai reveler reports: "Had a great time at the Pirate Faire ... They have a wee 22 foot Pirate ship built by Capt. Mike, and we managed to barter a short passage aboard to sail around the lake. This is a Ren Faire for Pirates, with a whole lot of friendly Pirate & Ren vendors selling a whole lot of Pirate Booty, great food, ale, rum, fun and a wonderful time for all." -- Katie O.
Los Angeles - The Pyrate Ryderz Motorcycle Club, a member group of the West Coast Presidents Association (WCPA), planned to talk like pirates "until we get jumped and beaten by our friends and family. We will take in a feast and enjoy some drinks."
Los Angeles - Here's a last-minute roundup of TLAPD goin's-on in LA, thanks to the LA Times.
Mill City and Menlo Park - Ray Marshall, author and paper-engineer of a pop-up book called The Castaway Pirates, scheduled two Talk Like A Pirate Weekend readings/booksignings this weekend. On Friday, he read at Monkey Business, 800 Redwood Highway, #703, Mill Valley; on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. he's at Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.
Pasadena - Kidspace Children's Museum celebrated TLAPD on Sept. 19 with Pirate Night. Treasure hunt, balloon swords, and a pirate yellow ducky race - an evening of piratical fun for families.
Pasadena - And open-to-all International Talk Like a
Pirate Day Bicycle Ride started with the rolling fleet rallying at the corner of Michigan and Cordova. The ride was to be short, but along the way they planned to yell pirate jokes and greetings to each other and the crowd. The ride ended at the Old Towne Pub.Sacramento - The Claussen crew planned its third annual TLAPD party a week ahead o' the game, on Sept. 13, with pirate games, food and contests for the most pirattitude. "As always," First Mate Valerie wrote, "I'll be expecting our guests to not only talk like pirates but dress like them as well." e.
San Diego - "Me mates and I are having a pirate day ON the bay because in San Diego the scourges banned drinking on our beautiful beaches. (hence no longer Pirate Day at the Bay). We are taking the galleon out on Sept. 13 to celebrate TLAP day and wish the Miss Salty (and the scurvy rat Capt Kurt) a fond farewell to the San Diego, her crew is setting sail on Sept. 14 for the far-off shore of Portland, Oregon." - Wendy N. Leicht
San Francisco - "Due to the fightin' and drinkin' and faahhhrrther unmentionables planned fer The Day itself, we thought we'd get a run up and start early on the unluckiest day save one. On September 13th (Not THAT Day!?! Aaaaarrrrrrhhhh!!), Baldrick the Inflammable will put ashore on a San Francisco Bay Area beach (precise location undisclosed to give the buccaneers a fightin' chance) to burn everything within reach and light an unrighteous romp before crisping and devouring various creepy crawlies from The Deep to celebrate the birth (yet again in piratical style since midnight September 19, 1969) of the dark and craven Brandon the Bruiser of Berkeley. All additional alliteration answered with absolute annihilation." (See photo)
South Pasadena - Holy Family Church, 1527 Fremont Ave., threw a TLAPD party for young adults on Sept. 19 at the Parish Hall. Writes "Mrs. Sparrow": "Everyone is welcome aboard this ship. No one should be afraid of suddenly being evangelized. This is just a social night; we won't swear you into the Brethren Court. .. As a church function, it might be a little "clean" with "respectable company" but it's close enough to go to Tortuga...err...Downtown Pasadena for more fun afterwards (or before?) (What are pirates without their rum?!)"
Studio City - Our mates at Studio City Tattoo/Ye Olde Tattoo Shop once again enlisted their whole neighborhood for a grand Talk Like A Pirate Day celebration. Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket attended the 2007 event, and (at least so far as they can recall) had a rip-roarin' good time. Among those plannin' to be on hand: Kendra, Queen of the Black Spot, and CBS's Pirate Master
Studio City - Michelle AKA Iron Ethel Vane writes: "Every year me family and I say, 'We'd ought to have a pirate party. It's just not satisfyin' enough to dress-up and talk like pirates fer the day!' Well, this year we did it! We'd be celebrating this great INTERNATIONAL Holiday at Beeman Park AKA "Studio City Rec Center" in Studio City, CA. Beginning at 4pm, we and our mates, will be takin' over the park, singing sea chanty's, playing games for the kiddies (Yes, this be a mostly family event!) and celebratin' !"
Sunnyvale - It was knit like a pirate for the crew at Purlescence Yarns, which turned its monthly third-Friday late-night knitting event over to Talk Like A Pirate Day.They showed pirate movies all day long and into the night, and costumes were encouraged.
Colorado
Denver - The Donnybrook Writing Academy ("a society for cultural advancement") advanced the pirate culture on Sept. 19 with a pirate party at Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway, Denver, featuring bands Eyes and Ears and Vile Blue Shades. .
Denver - A bunch o' Denver scalawags staged a Pirate-Con pub crawl, on Sept. 19 starting at Wahoo's on 28th and Pearl, meandering from pub to pub and winding up at the Fall Festival. Details on their Web site.
Longmont - "I been passin’ pirate lore on to the yunguns. Reading em’ pirate books like Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi. We also been makin’ pirate maps so as to find our way around the library. Talk Like A Pirate day is alive and well in school this fine day as we pass on this importan’ information. We hope your celebrations are as rowdy as 28 Kindergarten’ Buccaneers singin’, mappin’ and dancin’ and AAARRRin’ in the wildest library ever to set sail." - Reverend Red Goat and the Crew, Twin Peaks Charter Academy
Sheridan - The Sunken Bones Society presented its second annual Full Sails Buccaneer Bash at Red and Jerry's, 1840 W Oxford Ave, Sheridan on Sept. 19th.
Connecticut
Fairfield - "Fairfield is the town to get wrecked! The Brothers Hood - Notorious Pirates will be celebrating with their hearties and wenches to the bitter end of the best day of the year! Eye patches and pirate names are required for the parrrrrty."
Norwalk - Fans of TLAPD schemed with owners of Pirate, a new bar at 7 Wall Street, to throw a pirate-themed event on Sept. 19.
Delaware
Wilmington - The Dread Pirate Stephanie commandeered the Friday Night Karaoke show at Price Lanes on Kirkwood Highwa. She urged celebrants to "choose a pirate name to put on your song slips, sing a pirate song (or sing any song like a pirate) and enjoy a chance to win some booty!"
District of Columbia
Georgetown - Ashley Bovinothrew a TLAPD gathering Sept. 19 at Tony & Joe's Bar on the Georgetown Waterfront in Washington, DC. "I figured what better place to celebrate than on the waterfront."
Georgetown University Law Library celebrated International Talk Like a Pirate Day by promoting copyright fair use and, of course, talking like pirates.
Florida
Altamonte Springs - Proprietors Mike and Rick of Kiwis Pub celebrated the day with t-shirts, grog and grub specials. "It keeps growing every year. Thanks for giving us this day!" --Jim Cain, a seaweed-smokin' chicken choker!
Fernandina Beach - Blimey! The crew of the Fernandina Pirates Club from Amelia Island, FL spread the pirate word all over their home port of Fernandina Beach, FL for Talk Like A Pirate Day. This crew had more fun than a bunch of weevils in a rum cake this TLAPD. They don't call us 'Amelia Island's Goodwill Ambassadors' for nuthin' bucko! In piratical preparation, Club members Mad Dog Sam and Aspasia the Promulgator kicked off the day by co-anchoring the daily announcements for the Middle School kiddies. Our little lads and lassies are used to seeing us walkin' round the town but we don't think they were ready to see pirates on the classroom TV monitors first thing o' the mornin'. We sailed off to party with the crew of the Nassau County Council on Aging for more pirate talk and they treated us to food and drink fit for pirate kings and queens. After gettin' our fill, we weighed anchor and sailed off back to our local middle school for a full scale invasion of the school galley, or cafeteria as those landlubbers call it. We looted plenty of little tin chests loaded with food and tasty snacks and sampled some fine hot meals served by some really scary wenches wearing hair nets and funny shoes. Lucky for the crew that these wenches are kept behind steel counters with glass coverings. Ain't nobody goin' to be pillagin' any Cheetos from under their watch! Mad Dog loves to 'recruit' new wenches into the crew, so before leaving he kidnapped the school librarian, Mrs. Carr". - Aspasia the Promulgator (See photo here)
Ft. Lauderdale - The Fort Lauderdale Hash House Harriers celebrated their third annual TLAPD on Sept. 6. The Hare wasl be Frenchie Wench. Pirate garb requested. The harriers met at the Municipal lot at Los Olas & the Intracoastal, Ft. Liquordale for swashbuckling, running and drinking. Pirates followed a trail laid by the hare and everyone had a great time. Prizes for the best pirate attire and lots of booty!!
Fort Myers Beach - There's a new Captain at the helm at Chapel by the Sea – Pastor Maynard has come aboard and has brought with him his love of “International Talk Like A Pirate Day.” So on September 19th 2008 (and on every September 19th from here to eternity), Chapel by the Sea celebrated ITLPD as a Volunteer Appreciation Day. Everyone who volunteers at Chapel was invited to come and be thanked and to join in the fun. Come dressed as pirates, or walk the plank!
Kissimmee - Old Town, 5570 W. U.S. Highway 199, is holding a Talk Like A Pirate Classic Car Cruis on Sept. 19 and 20, featuring pirate booty, pirate trivia,costume contests and cool classic cars!
Madeira Beach - Pirates gathered at Friendly's Pirate Cove, 150 John's Pass Boardwalk, on September 19th for International Talk Like A Pirate Day!"Talk, dress and drink like a pirate to the song of Big Dan! Dollar Amberbach Drafts and Rum specials will abound! Hand Rolled Cigars by Casa Havana and Photo-Ops by Pirates of the Pass will fill your chest with booty! The Rice-Gators Pirate ship will be in attendance! Free Give-A-Ways, Chance Drawing and plenty of free booty to go 'round."
Melbourne - Contra dancers at Tropical Haven, 1205 Eddie Allen Road, threw a dance on Sept. 19, with instruction at followed by dancing into the night. Pirate talk abounded.
Monticello -
Cap'n Jim Elliott, director of the Jefferson County Public Library, is mandating pirate talk for all library staff on Sept. 19. That's pirattitude!Alas, Capn' Jim writes that he's been asked to resign his post at the library, and thus "the Jefferson County Public Library will NOT be participating in Talk like a Pirate Day this or probably any other year."Orlando - Pirate's Dinner Adventure celebrated International Talk like a Pirate Day with a Talk Like a Pirate contest, with prizes in booty from the gift shop. Anyone dressing like a pirate gets discounts in the bar and gift shop, too. More information at www.piratesdinneradventure.com
Pompano Beach - The American Legion (motorcycle) Riders Post 142 is throwing a Talk Like A Pirate Day party on Sunday, Sept. 21, figuring "pirates would have had motorcycles, too." The $10 entry fee gets you beer, an eyepatch and a pirate bandana, and they'll be raffling off a "Giant Basket of Cheer."
St. Augustine - This coastal, north Florida town has seen it's share of Pyrates since the 1500s. There was another attack anticipated Friday night: Ann O'Malley's Pub at the corner of Spanish and Orange street, in St. Augustine....this be the first TLAPD for what they plan on being an annual event. Saturday they be celebrating at Hurricane Patty's...
Tallahassee - "A Pirate Looks at 40" (where've we heard that before?) was the theme for Jillian Kaplan Tribble's 40th birthday bash on TLAPD: "Here in the swamps of Tallahassee we be combinin' a timely honor o' TLAPD with the early celebration o' me 40th year on land n’ sea. T' party be big, and t' drinks be bigger! Whilst we tip our hats t' honor the good-deed-doers and selfless amongst our ranks, we be celebratin' old-skool and requirin' nothin' o' our guests but a smile."
Georgia
Dunwoody - TLAPD merriment took place at at The Corner Bar and Grill, 5500 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd.
Savannah - The Pirates’ House restaurant, 20 E.Broad St., celebrated TLAPD with 10% off meals for everyone who talks like a Pirate and 20% off meals for those who dress and talk like Pirates. Prizes were given out throughout the night and tattoos, swords, eye patches and gifts for the kids.
Hawaii
OK, Hawaii - where are you? Let us know what you did for the day!
Idaho
Boise - As they have every year since 2003, the crew at Flying Pie Pizzaria celebrated TLAPD in grand swashbuckling style.
Burley - The first annual Land-locked Pirate Festival takes place at Burley's Snake River Plaza on Sept. 19 and 20, promising contests, prizes, fun and adventure.
Illinois
Chicago The second annual Talk Like a Pirate Day Booty Pub Crawl took place - appropriately enough - in Lincoln Park in Chicago, IL.
DeKalb - "Me and my mateys of the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University (our motto: Stream piracy is still piracy!) are celebrating the blessed day by playing a pirate-themed version of our favorite webgame Warfish. (Think online Risk.) All our game names and trash talk will be pirate-themed and will extend the celebrations (and libations) for a few weeks, giving ITLAP day the longevity it deserves!" - Sassmouth O'Malley, Pirate Queen of the Mississippi
Lisle - "I'm a speech/language pathologist, working with kids from Kindergarten to eighth grade. I plan to use Talk Like A Pirate Day to emphasize pronunciation of /r/ all day. I will dress up like a pirate and talk like a pirate with my students all day. Of course, the letter for the day is /r/ (aaarh)! I'm really looking forward to it as a way to get my students excited about something that is a struggle for many of them." - Chris McCarthy
Savannah - "We are going to Poopy's in Savanna IL" - Deb B.
Indiana
Batesville - At the Batesville Memorial Public Library in Batesville, Indiana, they Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19 with a free, all-ages concert by them scurvy dogs, "Hogeye Navvy" from Indianapolis! We'll have pirate songs and contests and prizes! This event is free to the public and they can find our library on the Web at: ebatesville.com/library." - Mike Kruse, director
Bloomington - The Pirate Flags played songs of the high seas at Max's Place, 109 W. 7th, in celebration of the high holy day .Plenty of delicious local and microbrewed grogs on hand and the best pizza to crawl out of any frigate's bung hole. As for the band: Imagine the Pogues trying to play nice with the Chieftains while Thelonius Monk is breaking loose of his shackles after having his gizzards nailed to the rail.
Iowa
Lake Panorama - PGA head pro Gary Babcock of the Lake Panorama National Golf Course, 45 miles west of Des Moines, says his course hosted its third annual Talk Like A Pirate Day Golf Tournament (why didn't we hear about this before?)
Quad Cities - The Circle Tap, 1345 Locust Street, Davenport, (and Captain Morgan) threw a TLAPD party from 5 p.m. till ??? with Captain Morgan drink specials, a costume contest, karaoke and more.
Kansas
Kentucky
Lexington - At Lexington's technical high school, Eastside Technical Center, Michael F. and his mates were " dressing, talking and pillaging the snacks
like pirates were meant to!"Lexington - Jokey McLaughcomedy club celebrated by hosting “Rum, Rogering and Ridicule – You’ll laugh yer barnacles off”. International Talk Like a Pirate Day Comedy Show. 3 comedians and International Headliner Brian ‘Capt Happy Pants” Collins. Racquet Club 3900 Crosby Drive Lexington KY
Louisiana
Baton Rouge - The communications crew at Louisiana Sea Grant celebrated early this year, hoisting the Jolly Roger on Sept. 18 (and becoming the first of 2008 to get us a picture of their TLAPD festivities, too!)
Maine
Augusta - "As a School bus driver in Augusta, Maine I got all the children “Primed” to behave like pirates all day before releasing them to their teachers and parents." - Teri the Pirate Bus Driver
Old Town - Old Town Public Library joined the ranks of libraries holding Talk Like A Pirate Day events, with a pirate parade, pirate theater, pirate stories and pirate songs. Children's librarian Cindy Seger hopes to make it an annual event.
Portland - Radio station WBLM gave away Portland Pirate Hockey Team Game passes to callers who talk like a pirate .
Maryland
Baltimore - The cursed dread ship MOLINARI MARAUDERsailed in ta Cap't Larry's on the 19th o' September to pillage some o' the Captain's booty fer best pirate garb, best pirate name & fer wot ever else we feels like!!! (Captain Larry's Bar & Grill, 601 E. Fort Ave)
Baltimore - Queen Mum Joyce of the Elderberry Tarts will took a group of 50 "Red Hat" wenches for a sail on the infamous pirate ship "Fearless", berthed in the Baltimore Harbor. "We will have a keg of grog to enjoy as we sail aound the harbor looking for unsuspecting vessels to plunder. We will also be "talking like pirates"!aaaarrrrghh!!!" -- QMJ
Parts unknown - "I am an English teacher in a small private Christian school (yes, we like to have fun!) in Maryland. The 19th is our 4th annual Talk Like A Pirate Day. The seniors dress as pirates, talk like pirates (we downloaded a lovely glossary) and go class to class attacking the underclassmen. I use class time to teach on the great Vowel shift (not to be confused with a bowel shift) and at lunch time we eat chowder and ginger snaps." -- Mrs. Jones
Massachusetts
Plymouth - The Old Harbor at Plymouth is full of pirates this year! All Pirates are welcome aboard if ye dare. We be meetin' at our place called the British Beer Company on Middle Street at 3pm. It's just up the hill from that blasted Plymouth Rock! Our fine ship the Sloop Jaded Lady anchors in Plymouth this time every year. The Captain, Perilous Briny Ted and his first mate Angry Screamin' Pete will be drinking pints of RUM! It's generally not recommended you follow their lead unless you've got lots of practice. The rest crew will be there in strength making noise, drinkin' and being a general nusance. After we get a good package on we'll be planning our attack on the old ship Mayflower. It's a plan we've never followed through with thankfully. We happen to know there's no booty on board and the ship itself sails like a slug in low gear. We usually figure there's better targets to choose and then order up another round from the bar wench.
We're always looking fer more crew so pick up yer mess and join us fer good piratin' fun!Salem - In a town better known for witchcraft and Halloween attractions, Captain Stink-boot McGee and her young crew planned to celebrate the day by inviting friends for a sleepover weekend including a walking tour to Salem's Pirate Museum,
Michigan
Ann Arbor - Th' Motown Ann Arrrbor Hash House Harriers had TLAPD Pub Crawl Friday, Sept. 19, "visitin' th' grog servin' waterin' holes o' Ferndale, in our very finest pirate gear. (While th' cleanest gear we be findin' anyway.)" More information here. - Capt'n Damn It & Damn It
Detroit - Our mate Mad Becki Carr, from Yarrr! PR (Oxymoronically Honest Publicity) threw a TLAPD party at Northern Lights Lounge, (660 W Baltimore, Detroit, featuring music by Skin and Bones, Subourbon Son, and Wally Jaczkowski & the Consequences of His Stupid Actions. All are invited, and there's no cover! (On Sept. 18, Mad Becki and one of the bands appearing at her party appeared on WDET-FM, 101.9, to promote the party and teach the host how to talk like a pirate. Go, Becki!)
Flint - TLAPD falls smack in the middle of the Michigan Renaissance Festival, Aug. 16-Sept. 28, and coincides with the festival's school/grandparents' day. Writes a fan, "Who knowS how many landlubbers we can press into service there?"
Grand Haven - Loutit District Library in Grand Haven planned a whole Pirate Week, Sept. 15-19, with fun and educational programs for all ages focussing on Great Lakes pirates. Actrivities included pirate storytime, a visit by the Brethren of the Great Lakes Pirate re-enactors, and Pirate Movie Night featuring "Captain Blood."On Sept. 19, all visitors were invited to dress and talk like their favorite pirates all day.
Grand Rapids - The Outcomes Management crew at Metro Health Hospitalgathered on Sept. 19 for a feast. "It be known as the "Pirate Potluck". We feasted on "Bloody Cannonballs" (meatballs), "Walk-the-Plank Franks" (hot dogs swimmin' in BBQ sauce), Rum Cake, and Key Lime Pie (no scurvy here!). Our Captain (the VP of out dept) dressed the part, and tossed swag for knowin' pirate trivia and lingo. We be plannin' a short visit with Captain Morgan when our work here be done." - Cutthroat Jim (Pirate at heart, Social Worker by trade)
Holland - Members of Macatawa Bay Pirates from Holland MI celebrated Talk like a Pirate Week on the waterfront with hundreds of people in a meet and greet. Arrrr tis a grand thunderous time for all!! (See photo)
Northville - Kids 5 and up and their parents were invited to the first Northville Parks and Recreation Pirate Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19. "Join us if ye dare and chart yer course fer the Community Senior Center. We be a meetin’ fer some swashbuckling fun, grub and kiddie spirits.," writes Cap'n Nichole. Plans are for pirate games, a treasure hunt - and every little pirate will go home with a bag o' booty. Register at the Parks and Recreation office.
Ypsilanti - Pirate Parrrty at Dreamland Theater on Sept. 19: " BYOG (grog), consider bringing a snack to share PIRATE CLOTHING OPTIONAL" (we assume it's the "pirate" that was optional, not the clothing...)
Minnesota
Big Lake - Failing to Wake, a Monticello, Minn. metal band, played a TLAPD show at Victory Sports Bar in Big Lake. "We're going to be playing our own original metal songs, as well as drinking lots of rum and talking about TLAP day! If you could help promote our show on the website or whatever, that would be amazing, as the TLAP is a big selling point of our show that night!! Thanks so much, we love TLAP day and are so stoked to be incorporating it into our work!!" - KcF. More at www.failingtowake.com
Burnsville - The Dakota Curling Club will observe TLAPD weekend on Sept. 20-21 with a grand "Pirate Spiel," featuring dinner, lunch (and beer), plus prizes for the best pirate talk and pirate garb - and an engraved Pirate Spiel trophy to perpetuate the party for years t'come.. Details are here - and we want photographs! (Hey, Talk Like A Pirate Day was invented over a game of raquetball - why not pirate curling?)
Burnsville - Another crew in Burnsville planned a pirate movie marathon featuring such classics as Captain Blood, Treasure Island and the entire Pirates of the Carribbean series, followed on Saturday by pirate miniature golf at Grand Slam Sports.To book passage, contact Leslie at 651-228-1966.
Hibbing - The kid’s department of the Hibbing Public Library spent TLAPD having kids talk like a pirate to win a prize, as well as encouraging the little buccaneers to check out one of our many pirate books. Avast! (The Chivalry for Children dictionary defines brigands as: a pirates without a boat.) - Chuck Bell, Children's Librarian
Hopkins - Stages Theatre Company opened their run of the musical theater adaptation of Melinda Long and David Shannon's wonderful children's book, " How I Became a Pirate," on International Talk Like A Pirate Day. The show - a regional premiere - runs through Oct. 19. Details here.
Minneapolis - Jeweler Elise Matthesen offered delivery-by-pirate in the Twin Cities on TLAPD, and one recipient ... well, let her tell the story.
Minneapolis - Also offering TLAPD pirate deliveries - and discounted prices - in the Twin Cities was Mohr Creations. (See photo.)
Minneapolis - John Carlis teaches data modeling in the M.S. Software Engineering program at the University of Minnesota's Computer Science and Engineering Department. The students are all working adults. "On International Talk Like a Pirate Day I use an in class exercise where the data to be modeled consists of Lego assembly instructions for pirate systems. These instructions have the form of we call directed acyclic graphs, DAGs. DAGs appear in lots of contexts, including metabolic pathways, computer chip designs, and trip routes. Pirate talk is lots more fun and an excellent vehicle for learning."
Minneapolis - Friday was Pirate Night at the University of Minnesota Gopher Volleyball match and the team gave away 200 “M” eye patches to the student section! Pirate-themed prizes were given away all night, along with prizes for the best costumes.
St. Paul - The Landmark Center planned a big event for International Talk Like a Pirate Day, complete with a pirate ship build, fashion show for best pirate apparel, casino for pirates booty, music, dancing and assorted debauchery. "We are pitching the event to the community as a great event for the young urban professional crowd to come unwind and party!" - Dina Vaynerman
Schroeder - "My husband's birthday is actually on TLAP day! He was born September 19th, 1968. I just found out about the special day last year! So this year I am throwing him a SURPRISE birthday party - Pirate themed for his 40th birthday! To make matters even better, we own a fishing charter service and he is a bonifide Captain so that will also be the basis of the theme." - (Name withheld to preserve the surprise)
Mississippi
Starkville - Pirates descended on the the Starkville Martial Arts Academy, 106 Lafayette Street, Friday for an evening of sword (Japanese bokken) swinging, a pirate potluck, and a chance to show off their "pirattitude." This is the third year that the academy has celebrated the annual international event. Prizes for the best pirate costumes nd those exhibiting the best "pirattitude."
Missouri
Imperial - O'Aces Sports Bar, 1233 Main Street, threw TLAPD party on Sept. 19 featuring the StaggerCatt Band. "Wear your favorite pirate garb and get in free!" More about StaggerCatt at their Web site.
Kansas City - The crew of the ship "T'port" (a company which shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) celebrated their fourth TLAPD. "The krewe keeps growing every year and costumes get even better. The ship's galley served pirate soups and chili along with 'pirate skull and cross bone cupcakes." - Capt. Jon Claude DuBois (French Fleet)
Springfield - Pastiche Decor and Design promoted Talk Like a Pirate Day by offering a special selection of pirate paraphernalia, such as the Pirate's Log, glow-in-the-dark scull and bones bracelets, toy ships, and more! Those who came into Pastiche on Talk Like a Pirate Day got a free eyepatch, too!
St. Louis - "106.5 The Arrrrrch in St. Louis celebrates International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th as the official end of Summer! There will be plenty of Pirate Talk throughout the day from The Arrrrch on-air personalities, traffic wenches and our listeners. Listeners arrrr invited to call our Talk Like a Pirate Hotline at 314-983-6960 and leave their Pirate Talk which could be played back on the air! Our website, www.1065thearch.com, will also be filled with Pirate Blogs and visitors again will be invited to leave their Pirate comments." -- Scott Wehner, promotions director
St. Louis - No shortage of pirates in St,. Louis this month, where TLAPD falls on the middle of three weekends of the St. Louis Pirate Fest, featuring music, merchants, reenactment and fun for the whole family.
Montana
Bozeman - What's a pirate's favorite Bozeman bar? The Rockin Arrrrrrrrr!!! What started as a costumed bar night for three friends became a night that pirates took over Main Street in Bozeman, MT. Pirates were invited to meet up at the Rockin' R bar at 10 p.m.; from there, the crew will "ill be unleashing our inner pirates onto the unsuspecting landlubbers of Bozeman. Costumes are encouraged, and pirate talk is required. BYOP (Bring your own parrot)!" - Erin Fuller
Nebraska
Lincoln - "Arr, because me place of work is run by college students, we be celebratin' whatever holidays we please... and of course that includes this'un, me hearties. The University of Nebraska - Lincoln store "The Lounge" be open Sunday through Thursday (aye, a bitter year it be that Pirate Day not be included in our hours). We be pillagin' it's worth regardless, makin a week out of it. "Order Like a Pirate Week" has been entertainin' to say the least. We decorated the place and strut around in pirate or wench attire below a jolly roger, bellowin' "Yars" and givin' discounts ta the customers who order like pirates. Landlubber talk gets 'em nothin.' " - Cap'n Queen (aka, Jordan Noel Bonge, Manager of The Lounge) (Photo)
Omaha - Pirates come to landlocked Nebraska in the first Midlands Pirate Festival, conveniently scheduled to coincide with Talk Like A Pirate weekend.
Omaha - The Omaha Scooter Club planned a Talk Like A Pirate Day event starting at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Elmwood Park "The plan so far is to meet at Elmwood Park, then drive down to Rick’s Boatyard Café downtown on ye waterfront. There we will be skinny dipping in the Missouri River…or not…yar. We will be drinking ale or your preferred liquified scourge. After the food and mead we may terrorize downtown Omaha for wenches." -- Nate Perry, Omaha Scooter Club President
Omaha and Lincoln- T' sales office at Omaha Marriott got dressed up and doin' a sales blitz on Lincoln, Nebraska givin' away Pirates Booty from Robert's American Gourmet. We plan t' have lunch at Buzzard Billies and then head aft t' Omaha t' finish off t' night.
Nevada
New Hampshire
Nashua - "One day we were in social studies class and our teacher told us that friday was talk like a pirate day. Of course we all thought he was making this up. He told random kids in the hallway and they thought he was crazy. Well, he showed us a website and we figured out he didnt just make it up. So today friday september 19 we made paper pirate hats and talked like pirates. After a while most of the school knew it was talk like a pirate day. It was really fun I dont know why, but, we just thought it was a crazy idea but hey, my friends and I are crazy. -
Parts unknown - My friends and I get 6 camp sites all next to each other every year during the weekend in NH. We plan to celebrate TLAPD for 3 days. Everybody brings their dogs and we float out onto the lake drinking and making all sorts of noise. it'll be cold this weekend but the copious amounts of adult beverages will make up for it. I say, 'if it don't fit in me tankard then it's o' no use t' me' " - Cap'n Steve
New Jersey
Clinton - The Western Jersey Wheelmen be celebrated TLAP day by biking like pirates to a local grog house. "We be a group of bicyclists located in western New Jersey in the Clinton area doing our best to make NJ fun. The event will start in High Bridge, NJ at 6pm, biking along the Columbia Trail to the landlubber town of Long Valley. With a series of Arrrrr's we will take over the bar, enjoying their fine grog and preparing for a ride back in the dark. Fellow piratical talkers can find out the specifics at:
http://www.bikewjw.org/the_spoke/newspoke.pdf "Point Pleasant Beach - Jenkinson's Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beachcelebrated TLAPD on Sept. 19: in preparation for their fourth annual Halloween A-SCARE-IUM: The Rogues of the Jersey Shore, they taught visitors how to talk and sing like a pirate.There was also Pirate Storytelling.
Point Pleasant Beach is hopping with pirates! Capt Charles Black and his Valhalla's Pirates were be at the Wharfside Patio Bar along with the Pyrate Brotherhood of Long Island and The Crew of Cold Springs. Thy promised plenty of piratical fun and frolic including sea shanty song after song!
Trenton - Nate’s Pub, 979 Lalor Street, thrwe ' its second annual TLAPD on the 19th, . Cap'n Bob, Cap'n Shit'te and Cutthroat Cleo write: "Dress up like a Pirate and come on over to Trenton and join us! Enjoy the DJ with lots of Pirate Music & Karaoke, Door Prizes, Drink Specials, Food Specials, Games and a whole crew of Swashbuckling Pranksters. Everyone had such a great time last year that we had to do it again. It was a Party to Remember!!! All are welcome!"
New Mexico
New York
Brewerton - Mimi Foxmorton, winner of our 2006 Buccaneer Bachelor contest, is the special guest host for a Talk Like A Pirate Day cruise aboard the newly launched Seaway Navigation Tours vessel Mystere. Foxmorton promises " a grand evening of music, debauchery and piratical fun!" Information and booking.
Fultonville - Argh, Matey! September 19 thru 21, pirates be invadin` Olde Main Street Shoppes, 23 Main Street, be celebratin' Talk Like a Pirate Day! Get free pirate booty if ye be wearin` pirate garb when ye visit’em. There be a colorin’ contest all weekend, swordfights, pirate tales, face paintin’, a workshop on talkin’ pirate-like, and more. Visit the web site at for a schedule of activities. Be there or be a scurvy dog!
Hudson Valley - "I've gone hardcore. This summer I started a pirate re-enactor society in the Hudson Valley-- The Half Moon Marauders! Of course, we had to do something to celebrate the great day.... To warm up for the event, my avatar met Ol' Chumbucket's avatar on the docks of Tortuga in "Pirates of the Burning Sea." The next morning, I brought me tricorn into work and sang "I'm a Pirate," to all me little darlin's in me classes at Cornwall Central High School. I ran home to change into piratical togs and met me mates at Big E's in Greenwood Lake, NY. We were greeted with a hearty chorus of "Arrgh!" as we walked in. We had our pictures took by many of the between season tourists there. We even had one took with the Mayor. After a while, we swaggered from pub to pub, being honked at by passing automobiles. At every establishment we entered, we were heartily welcomed and had saucey wenches begging for photos with us. It was a grand night! As a cool down from that night of revelry, I logged on to "Pirates of the Burning Sea" again and had my avatar meet Capn' Slappy's Avatar in the afore mentioned town. - Captain Craig "Bilgewater" Browne (See photo)
Manhattan - "'Tis a disgrace there's been no meetin' place for the pyrates of New Amsterdam, but here's the remedy, mateys! Friday, the 19th of September, sail into New York harbor, tie up smartly at the 79th Street Boat Basin, and bring yer crew ashore. (If ye're shipless, ye scurvy knaves, come by land.) Crews be gatherin' at the Boat Basin Cafe durin' the last dog's watch -- 6:30 or 7:00 for you landlubbers. (Some of the less successful pyrates can't make it till after their day jobs.) The crew at the Boat Basin has been warned to prepare to be boarded and haven't cried nay. Pyrate togs be definitely optional, but come prepared to swill some grog and talk like a pyrate! Oh, and -- Arrr!" - Bloody Suz, Terror of the Central Park Reservoir
Manhattan - A group o' New Yorkers will be partied like pirates on Sept. 19 at The Frying Pan, (a pirate ship turned bar) on Pier 66 in Chelsea Piers. Their anonymous leader said all pirates were welcomed.
Manhattan - On Sunday, September 21, Come all ye scallywags, and venture out to the Staten Island Zoo for a Pirate-themed day of adventure in celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19). Visitors are encouraged to come dressed as a pirate to receive a free prize (quantities limited). The Staten Island Zoo is hosting a variety of activities to awaken the swashbuckler in you. Activities scheduled throughout the day include a tour of the Aquarium at 12:00 p.m.; at 12:30 p.m. attend a "Sustainable Seafood Cooking Demonstration” ; and at 1 p.m. a keeper will give an informative talk about the Zoo’s alligators in the Reptile Wing. At 2 p.m. enjoy a free concert by the Wahoo Skiffle Crazies, Staten Island's premier Jug Band. Come lest ye walk the plank! Visit www.statenislandzoo.org for more information.
Utica - The Utica Music Festival in Utica, New York is this weekend and Rebecca Angel, a firm believer in all things Pirate,performed at The Deveraux at 7pm on the 19th. Along with her regular songs and fun, there were lessons in how to talk like a pirate, and the singing of "All For Me Grog", the definitive, authentic pirate song.
North Carolina
Charlotte - Roy A. Jenks will be teaching a course in Pirates in America fall term at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte this fall, and plans to make Talk Like A Pirate Day part of the curriculum.
Greenville - "I am a long time fan of the East Carolina University Pirates.. The Pirates are doing very well this football season with wins over Top 25 teams Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Their current record is 3-0 and the Pirates are ranked 15th in the AP NCAA Top 25 poll I will be celebrating Talk Like Pirate Day well on into the weekend by attending a Saturday game vs the Pirates' long time rival North Carolina State University Wolf Pack. Aye we'll be plundering the booty of those land lubber pooches!! ARRR!!! Go Pirates!!!" - A. Fan
Hendersonville - Jennifer Duran reports: "Our meeting is the Thursday before but I will be donning my pirate hat and talking like the wench I be at the Hendersonville Business & Professional Women group. I even put the event on our calendar."
Morrisville - International Talk Like a Pirate Day was an official holiday at the offices of Fiserv Insurance Solutions, where they celebrated with a costume contest, pi-ku (pirate hi-ku) contest, pirate trivia contest, and barrrbeque! (Adds product support specialist Cap'n Zach Stamey, "It also marks the first day we can start decorating our office for Halloween. TLAPD is what I look forward to all year!"
Stokesdale - Capt. Manrod and mate Jacques le Groin (aka “Coco”) threw a private party on a farm outside Stokesdale. "We plan to start right after plundering, I mean work, and have some dead animal on a spit plus plenty of beverages. Pirate garb highly encouraged, with the threat of pirate punishment for those not obeying the Captains orders." - Capt. Manrod
Winston-Salem - TREE House, a theme hall at Wake Forest University (standing for Tolerance, Respect, Environment, and Education) threw a pirate-themed murder mystery party on TLAPD with characters, costumes, food and fun.
North Dakota
Any pirates in North Dakota? Let us know what ye did for TLAPD!
Ohio
Cincinnati - "Ahoy there, my name is Zack. I'm the first mate out here at Scallywag Tag., a pirate-themed laser tag. We have one on the east side of Cincinnati in Anderson Township, and a new one in Western Hills. The Western Hills location also has pirate themed mini-golf with black-light portraits of pirates, ships, and booty just about everywhere. On Talk like a pirate day anyone who comes dressed like a pirate and talking like a pirate gets a free game of laser tag. At the western Hills location they can also do mini-golf. " -- Zackl
Cleveland - "What else be a pirate do’n on such the day, than going on the account and actually Sail’n? The North shores of Cleveland will be getting a gullet full of of the crew aboard the 25' Trimaran sloop Shall We Dance as they skirt around the harbor and make a general nuisance of hav’n fun. We will invite other scallywags, mermaids and buccaneer friends to surrender thar booty and share of the rum thru the whole weekend!" -- Bob and Mary Kansa and friends
Columbus - On Saturday, Sept. 20, pirates will be taking over the Santa Maria replica that's moored on the Scioto River in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Yep, it's a full-size sailing ship (and yep, we know we're a day late for TLAP Day).
Cuyahoga Falls - Mad Cap'n Bob was workin' on organizing a TLAPD program at the Cuyahoga Falls Library, with contests and other piratical treats.
Marietta - "In celebration o` this international holiday, me heartys an` I be puttin` on a party fer ere who wants t` come by fer free tropical punch, pirate themed drinks, viewin` o` the Pirate o` the Caribbean trilogy, mayhem, fire pit, an` much more. Be aye t` wear yer eye patches an` other pirate attire! If ye aren`t actin` like a seafarin` hearty we`ll take ye down t` t` levee an` make ye walk t` plank! Party be startin' at ten (10) o'clock, we best be seein' ye!" -Josh Fox
Parma - "Several of us in the Parma Area Mothers' Group participate in a hobby called letterboxing. One of our newest members has been doing it longer than the rest of us and has planted many o'boxes around Northeast Ohio...one of them is called Travel'n Turtle's Treasure Trove. It is a special kind of box because other boxers can take "booty" to the Treasure Trove and deposit it there. 5 of us decided to make additions to the Treasure in honor of "Talk Like a Pirate Day." The new booty consists of Cannonballs, a Treasure Map, a Bottle of Rum , a Pirate Grrrl, and Capt. Jack Sparrow's Tattoo. It was fun way to enjoy "Talk Like a Pirate Day!" -- Dawn Broadway
Oklahoma
Lawton - The Lawton Public Library in Lawton, Oklahoma held a special TLAPD special storytime at for the kids. "We will have pirate stories, puppet shows, and a treasure hunt…which will end in every child holding part of the booty. Later in that day a pirate will roam the library and help us get together a free movie for the older kids/adults. The kids are already excited! …um, the children’s staff is even more excited…"
Tulsa - The Cosmo Cafe & Bar celebrated TLAPD in style: "$3 Captain Morgan shots or Red Stripes, walk the plank blindfolded and drunk for party favors, Jimmy Buffet, chill out on the patios with your feet in a kiddy pool. We've decorated the place fit for a 5 year old twins best birthday party EVER!!! We always have great theme parties and our customers really get into the dressing up thing so we'll send some pictures after the event. - Captain Cosmo & the motley crew.
Oregon
Astoria - Captain Twombly and her motley crew, the Pirates of the Columbia spent the day doing Pirate Math and gabberin' like a band of wastrels. As the sun was becoming low in the sky, they weighed anchor to embark on large yellow vessels, all agreeing, "It's a Pirate's Life for Me!" (The teacher of these scaliwags adds that International Talk Like a Pirate Day weighs heavily on the Captain who will be embarking on a quest for suitable grog very soon!) -- Debbie Twombly, teacher - Grade 3, Astor Elementary School (See photo)
Grants Pass - The folks at Fire Mountain Gems & Beads planned an in-house TLAPD celebration. "I have no idea what Personnel has planned," writes the company's social media moderator, Barbara Van Look, "but after three years of celebrating independently, I'm so excited I could just scream."
Oregon City - Our pal Stormfeather and her Portland pirate crew crew held forth at the Highland Stillhouse, 201 Second Street, Oregon City starting on Sept. 19. She writes that the pub has "pirates, lotsa room, parking, on the bus route, heart attack on a plate food (almost bacon) and an audience of uptight yuppies types swilling down single malt Scotches. And did I mention the canon? Okay, it doesn't fire but it's a great prop!" Also partyin' at the Stillhouse: Pirates of Portlandia and the Confederated Brethren of the Oregon Territories. Sounds like a wild night gettin prepped for the Portland Pirate Festival on Saturday an' Sunday!
Portland - Here in The Pirate Guys' home state, Talk Like A Pirate weekend has come to mean the Portland Pirate Festival, setting sail for the third straight year in historic Cathedral Park. Pirate music, pirate food, pirate reenactors, pirate ffun and games and pirate vendors. Read more at www.portlandpiratefestival.com
Tillamook - "A couple of us bank girl here at Sterling Savings Bank in Tillamook oregon are representing nation talk like a pirate day! We’ve made flyers and are dressing up!" - Tabitha F.
Pennsylvania
Bethlehem - It was "Pirate Snack Day" at Cornerstone Consulting Engineers & Architectural Inc., where even the bosses get in the act. (See last year's photo).
California - The political science department at California University of Pennslyvania held an honest-to-goodness academic conference, "The Many Faces of Piracy" Sept. 17-19 to coincide with TLAPD. Topics range from "Piracy and the Constitution," and "Democracy and Piracy" to "Sea Chanties" and "Surgery During the Days of Piracy (featuring our pirate pal Cynthia Vallar, a real expert on the topic.)
Philadelphia - The Pirate Guys themselves traveled to the City of Brotherly Love for a special Talk Like A Pirate Day appearance at The Franklin, as part of the museum's events surrounding the Real Pirates traveling exhibition from National Geographic. Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket will be in Philadelphia Sept. 17-21, with a Talk Like A Pirate Day reading/performance at the museum from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 19, and makin' stops at other pirate gatherings around town as time permits. Keep a weather eye out!
Philadelphia - "As a history teacher I am taking my students to the Franklin Institute in Philaldelphia Pa to see the exhibit about the WHYDAH. A pirate ship found off of Cape Cod. I am going decked out with eye patch and head gear. After work its yo ho ho and a bottle of rum, then its on to the wench to shiver me timbers. Ahoy and may you never find your self in Davy Jones locker"
Philadelphia - Independence Seaport Museum celebrated Talk Like A Pirate Day with the closing film in its summer Starlight Cinema series, the classic Bob Hope pirate parody "The Pirate and the Princess." In honor of the date, everyone dressed like a pirate got in free; there werw a best-dressed pirate contest, free pirate snacks and tattoos (temporary, we think), and heaps o' pirate fun.
Philadelphia - And in still more Philadelphia pirate news, the crew of the tall ship Gazela, moored at Penn's Landing, was in full pirate regalia for TLAPD. After storming the Independence Seaport Museum (see above), they planned to have the ship open for late-night pirate ship tours.
Wilkes-Barre - The aptly named Donna Wench tells us that Barnes & Noble in Wilkes-Barre once again celebrated TLAPD (for the third year running).Theygot off to an early start with TLAPD story time on Sept. 16 and 18 for junior pirates, who had a chance to create their own eyepatches and pirate hats. Storewide, the crew was encouraged to dress and talk the part, and prizes were offered for the best pirate attire.
Rhode Island (at last!)
Wickford- "I had a party plan party last night, you know, like Tupperware - called Tastefully Simple. Lots of eating. I wore my best black dog pirate tee shirt, and of course my bandanas. We served rum, naturally. I educated many ladies about the joys of piratitude. Handed out our web addy to many, also. So there are some of us pirates in Rhode Island who partied, in an old retired pirate fashion, maybe, but there was rum!" - Cap'n Jane
South Carolina
Parts unknown - "Arrrrrr our homeschool group hired a pirrrrate rrrrrenactorrrr to set up a pirate camp and give us a presentaion on local history as it relates
to pirates." - Kathi R.
South Dakota
Finally! We hear from South Dakota!
Sioux Falls - "Aaargh! South Dakota has not disappeared! We be celebratin' TLAPD in grand old fashion here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota! Actually, 'tis been goin' on all tide! We started wi' a party at a shipmates an' will be seein' 'ere th' night takes our squadron o' crazies. - Jumpin Eve Scarr
Tennessee
Chattanooga - "Here at our land-locked corporate office, we’ve gathered enough free paper pirate hats (from a fast food fish place) for all 17 people. We’ve also got eye patches, earrings, and a few inflatable parrots for people’s shoulders. I even photocopied a hand-drawn handlebar moustache so everybody will have the option to wear one if they like, but I grew a real one just for the occasion. A week ago, I sent everyone links to this site so they could be practicing their pirate-lingo. We will be playing pirate tunes (sea songs & chanties, not the ill-begotten kind)." - Cap’n Crunk
Texas
Allen - "Ahoy! Us land-locked landlubbers in Allen, Texas will be dressing all PIRATE-like and adding our photos to our WALL OF SHAME." - Mary Lynn Saxton, Teen Services Librarian, Allen Public Library
Austin - Capt'n Sharkbait, First Mate Stormy Seas, and the Malignant Mutineers partied like pirates at Opal Devines on 6th Street Sept. 19th. Featuring music by Capt'n Pleabag and the Jolly Garogers. "Pirate up, bring your best swagger, speak your best pirate, and wear your best pirate bling. Feastin' and Groggin' will commence at 6 bells of the dogs watch.....7:00 PM for you land lubbers."
Harker Heights - "My 4th grade class theme this year is pirates, and we are all looking forward to the 19th! We have begun practicing our Pirate terminology and accents. We have tons of books about pirates and pirate ships. We have treasure maps, sea creatures, treasure..you name it." - Helen Freeman, Harker Heights Elementary
Houston - GrogMeister Jeff and Strange Brew Productions once again descended on Mike's Place, 9110 Jones Rd (281-890-4919) for their third annual Talk Like A Pirate Day of carousin' and carryin' on. TLAPD followup: Mike writes: "Ye canna blow the man down: It takes more than a Category 3 to stop the Brave Stalwarts of Strange Brew. I JUST got back on-line today. 4 days no power, 2 no water. We hope everyone is as well as can be, and no one got hurt. If you have a serious case of Nautical Cabin Fever, we also hope you can join us for some much needed frivolity. Thanks and God Bless."
Houston - The bold lads and lasses at JP Hops House, 2317 S. Hwy 6, managed to get the power back on an' clean up the mess from Hurricane Ike, and they were ready to party like pirates. They write "We be standin' arm 'n arm with Saint Arnold Brewing Company on this Grand Swashbuckelin' Adventure 'n we be celebratin' in style with the grand and glorious Elissa IPA special glass giveaway. Heads up all ye scurvey dogs! When ye order ye Elissa IPA in pirate talk, and ONLY when ye order ye Elissa IPA in pirate talk, will ye be granted the reward of the grand and glorious glass. We be cuttin' loose furthermore with a Pirate Joke-Off, a Pirate Insult Competition and the One-Eyed Pirate Dart Throw. We be offerin' Salty Talk, Tons o' FUN 'n Booty-Liscious Prizes enough to fill the treaure chest of any self-respectin' privateer."
Marlin - Cap'n Teach O'Bailey and crew of the "Fredrick," hosted the 2nd annual TLAPD gathering. Friends and neighbors will assemble on the pier at (address deleted, since it's a private party) to be piped aboard. Festivities will begin at 2 Bells on the Second Dog Watch.
Pampa - Sacred Grounds Coffee celebrated TLPD with Butter Rum Latte's and Grogg Coffee. "We might even throw in a pina colada smoothie or two." -- Cap'n Pamela
Port Aransas - Capt.George Dreadfoot, Blind Puke and assorted other pirates and wenches set sail from The Gaff at The Republic of Port Aransas on Mustang Island, off the coast of Texas, in their ship the Mad Cow. As is their habit in their monthly escapades, the crew donned pirate garb and raided other bars on the island in search of booty, typically arriving back at home port with more pirates than they started with. For TLAPD, feasting at The GAff included roasted corn for a "buck-an-ear".
San Antonio - The crew from MyToons once again celebrated in grand style. The entire company (30 people turned out dressed like and talkin’ like Pirates for their (Now Annual) Talk Like AND Dress Like a Pirate Day. They rented a river boat, and staged a pirate ship assult on down town San Antonio - all captured on videotape See all the fun here including a Fox News feature about their hijinks!
Utah
Bonneville - "I be plannin' a quick plunderin' o' the sights and sounds o' the Wold of Speed doin's on the dried and salty seabed o' Bonneville with me own firstborn. A lad o' just five short years. We be slippin' in from the east the evening before, and will lay in wait for the mornin' roarin. After a few starts at the line, we'll make our escape with our booty o' memories and photos, and get the little one to his afternoon kindergarten class. Like I said, it be a quick job t' be sure." - Starboard Karl
Salt Lake City -The folks at ADP National Account Servicescelebrated TLAPD with an in-houseTreasure Hunt, Pot-Luck of Pirate Finger foods, full out decorating with Pirate flags, "and me, Capt'n Brunhilda th' Blue, will be in full Pirate Costume to get everyone in the mood! Cap'n Connie Anast writes: "Each employee on my team will get their own eye patch, pirate bracelet with pirate sayings, tattoos, stickers, mini treasure chests with gold coins and "Jolly Rancher" candies and listening to Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew Pirate Hip Hop while we work. Another team has heartily agreed to pillage randomly to get the real Pirate Spirit up and going." - Brunhilda th' Blue
Salt Lake City - Cap'n JR and Admiral Sue threw their sixth annual Talk Like A Pirate Day party for their mates, complete with grog, roasted fowl, and many a delightful wench with a mind to proper dispaly of the cleavage.
Salt Lake City - "Stand fast 'n listen, me 'n me fun-lovin shipmates at Siemens, who work in the state of da Great Salt Lake, plan ta join ya in festivities on da morrow! We'll be talkin' like pirates 'n yers-truly will be a dressin like one, ..Arrrr! We'll also be bringin in tasty plunder for a pot 'O luck on da bounty! I'll be bringin South-Sea-Salsa (say dat one fast five times!) 'n Buccaneer Brew!! As usual, I'll have me Highlander Grogg coffee on hand too!" - Cap'n Cuppa Joe 'n Siemens-MS4 Crew!!
Vermont
Colchester - Capn' Seamus Blunderbuss (aka DJ Seamus of WWPV 88.7-FM), planned a special, three-hour broadcast of sea shanties and other piratical music sometime in the vicinity of TLAPD. On the 19th, he'll be busy holding an informal bocce ball tournament for some close mates in a field close to his home. "I figure nothin' s as piratical as seein' how far ye can chuck today's equivalent of a cannon ball across a sun-drenched stretch o' grass....thinkin' of decoratin' the balls with skulls n' crossbones. I then shall invite me mates back to me place for munchies and ta try a few wee sips o' a rum cordial recipie I just found."
Virginia
Dulles - Employees at America OnLine's corporate offices observed Talk Like A Pirate Day at work this year, with a party spanning two floors of one of the five buildings that houses AOL. Writes sysadmin Tony Defibaugh, "Unfortunately it isn't open to the public, but we are planning on games, t-shirt, food and drink for all."
Fairfax - Patriot Harley Davidson held a Talk Like a Pirate Day sale on Sept 19th, organized by Lucy Wesson, who has successfully infiltrated the corporate heirarchy. Arrrr...
Fredericksburg - The Fitness Center at the University of Mary Washington embraces the day. Staff dress and talked like pirates all day as they greeted and worked with guests to the center. "Arrgh! It's a mighty good day to be a pirate!" - Bob Liebau, associate director
Newport News - Grab your cod fish, dress as your favorite high seas adventurer and wear a bird on your shoulder -- The Mariners’ Museum will celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20, 11 am to 4 pm. Bring the family for a host of special events and programs including hands-on children’s games and crafts, a scavenger hunt, and live music. Bring your camera to take your photograph as the notorious English pirate Blackbeard. Resident pirates will be on board to help you brush up on your “pirate speak” and participate in the first annual “Talk Like a Pirate” contest. Free admission for anyone dressed in appropriate Pirate Attire.
Williamsburg - Captain T Sibley’s shipmates and the notorious Fleagle gang from pirate lair Swansboro, NC, are celebrating Talk like a Pirate Day by visiting Olde Williamsburg, Virginia. The mateys plan to scour the city for booty and victuals. Mom and old wench M. A. are especially resplendent in authentic pirate bandanas, braids and gold earrings. The rest of the shipmates will sport their best peglegs and hooks. Regrettably, ship’s surgeon might have to remove a few legs and hands to accommodate the wooden pegs and iron hooks—but what’s a few extremities between pirates? Commodore (Chaplain) Ed, will attempt to make this sortie as humane and bloodless as possible, unlike last year’s celebration, when numerous bruised knees and scraped elbows resulted from a raid on Bear Island. Alas, Blackbeard’s treasure was not recovered, but we know it’s out there and the mystery WILL BE SOLVED!
Washington
Aberdeen - During the month of September there are pirate book displays in both the Teen and Children's areas of the Aberdeen Timberland Library, culminating with Talk Like a Pirate to a Librarian on Friday Sept. 19th. Kids and teens who do their best pirate impression at the adult or children's info desks will get a treat!
Honeywell - "The crew here at Honeywell in Redmond, WA (located just outside Seattle) plan to done our full regalia and celebrate TLAPD in our office. Attached is the fierce band of pirates from last year (well, the ones that we could round-up). There will be prizes this year so we anticipate a full crew!" - Lacey Hein
Maple Valley - "I live in Maple Valley WA and will be celebrating my 40th Birthday on TLAPD. It is a great day to have a Birthday and there is no better way than to have some Pirates over to celebrate." - Stewart Balke
West Virginia
Huntington - "I am a Resident Advisor at Marshall University. I have to do community programs throughout my building to get the residents talking to one another and to give them something to do. For my first community program, I thought there was nothing better than to celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day. I got it approved through my manager and I am going to give them a paper explaining what certain words mean and how to use pirate sentences. Thanks for making this awesome holiday." - Andrew Martin
Wisconsin
Black River Falls - "We are anesthesia people. Every day, we hand off patients to nurses who will take care of them as they awaken. We count their respirations to be sure they are breathing enough. That's not the swashbuckling part, though. On every other day of the year, we report the respiratory rate as Rs. On September 19th, International Talk Like a Pirate Day, we report this as "Arrrrrrs" "- Cap'n Jim
Tomahawk - "Aye, we be havin’ a Pirate Party in the newly remodeled bilge of Chief Tomahawk’s Revenge for our hearties and landlubbers alike in Tomahawk, WI." - Cap'n Michael Kohn
Wyoming
Statewide: Rich D. writes: "I work for the Wyoming Highway Patrol as a Dispatch Supervisor. When troopers start their work day they must advise dispatch they are "10-41" at the beginning of their shift (means they are "in-service") and when their shift is over, they advise they are "10-42". We have some troopers in a particular division that for the last couple of years on TLAPD, they each advise "10-41" on the radio in their best pirate voice usually followed by an "ARRR" or "Matey" or whatever they may choose. As they work throughout the day with keeping the traveling public safe, one can often hear them over the radio, continuing to use their pirate voices, pirate terms and pirate jargon. (Obviously if anything serious goes down, it's quickly back to business as usual). When TLAPD rolls around each year, the dispatchers (4 guys/36 gals) always get a great kick out of starting the day off hearing the troopers starting their shifts with their best pirate voices. I co-chair a group of dispatchers which named themselves G.E.D.M. (Group for the Enhancement of Dispatch Morale) which our main focus is to provide some fun and light-heartedness in a stressful and at times life-saving, butt-puckering line of work. For the upcoming TLAPD, we are going to surprise all 3 shifts with pirate hats, eye patches, individual pirate names, gold coin chocolates, etc., to celebrate the TLAPD. We are usually held to a very high and very restrictive standard when it comes to operating the radios, but for this day, we are going to still be professional, but in a pirate sort of way. I'm hoping it will be great fun for all. We operate the entire state patrol from one communication center in Cheyenne which means our voices go out and over close to 98,000 square miles of our fine state."
Latin America
Brazil
São Paulo - "I send this letter in a bottle across the ocean to tell ya, scandrals and bilge rats, that there are also pirates her´ in Latin América! Sitck a note with a dagger in that ol´ site of yours telling to the buccaneers all around, that in the city of São Paulo, in Brazil, there are a band of vicious pirates that will reune themselves in the O´Malley´s Pub (Alameda Itú 1529, Jardins) to party like there´s no tomorrow! So, anyone looking for loud laughs, strong grogs and loose women, should go to: West 46°, 39' 55.5" - South 23°, 33' 29.6" - It´s São Paulo's favourite Irish bar & gringo hangout - and now, a Pirate Bay!"
São Paulo - Ahoy, maties! So... last year we partied like there was no tomorrow, but unfortunatly tomorrow came (along with it's hangover)! Then what could we do? *PARTY AGAIN THIS YEAR!! AAAAAAARRR!! * So, for the second time, we send a message to all scandrals and bilge rats out there, that there are also pirates her´ in Latin America! To the buccaneers all around: if you are a brazilian sea monkey looking for loud laughs, strong grogs and loose women, then go to The Blue Pub (Alameda Ribeirão Preto, 384), in São Paulo, Brazil, and join our rum drinkin' contest! Aaaaaaar! - Capt'n Henry and the Sao Paulo Shipwreck Crew!
Uruguay
Black MaGnUs and his crew at the Spanish-language web radio show Perdidos En El Eter (Lost In Ether) celebrated their fourth TLAPD with a pirate party with our friends; and segments on "Comic Book Pirates", writer Emilio Salgari, and "Pirate Havens"; a piece on places like Isla Tortuga, all with good pirate music, including a pirate chorus singing the TLAPD official song!
Europe
On the road - "Me and a few of my friends are taking part in a rally across Europe, driving from the UK to Poland going through 7 countries in 7 days. One of those days happens to be Talk Like a Pirate Day, so we will be fully garbed up to the nines in pirate gear all day, and will be navigating to our next destination using an eyepiece and a map with a big red ‘X’ on it. We will be blogging the entire journey on our website." - Steven Wright
Austria
Vienna - Iron Tom Bonney and his merry crew took over Captain Charlie P's ship and enjoyed a long night of drinking and Irish wenches.
Channel Islands
Guernsey - Castle Cornet in Guernsey, Channel Islands, threw a Pirate Picnic on 12th September. Fun and games from the kids and the Jolly Roger flying over the battlements!
Denmark
Copenhagen - A group of mad Danish party-throwers calling themselves Rockpiraten planned a Rock'n Pirate Party for Sept. 19 on "The Rock", in the very center of Copenhagen. "It is an event where ye be certain to wind up "Three sheets to the wind", amidst 500-1000 fellow Buccaneers, Free-booters and Scallywags," writes Kimmie Nelson. "Rum, live pirate music, treasure hunts, dancing on the tables, cutlass fights in the dark corners & live cannon and musket firing from the man-o-war decorated stage."
Copenhagen - "We are some friends (all girls), that'll dine on a pirate ship restaurant in the amusement park Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark. Of course all dressed up as pirates, and of course talking as much pirate speak as you can - because it is possible to talk piratical in Danish too. The dinner is a private event, but afterwards we may show up on "The Rock" where there's a pirate party which you already mentioned on your list of events." - Yarrrgh from Kirstine (online and as a pirate often known as Atrice)
England
Birmingham - This year once again the Abbey RC school in Erdington Birmingham celebrated TLAPD. Check out their Web site to see how they celebrated last year. they promised this year should be bigger, brighter and even more Piratie !!!
Bristol - Black Bess, Captain Barnacle and their crew planned to meet up at the Llandoger Trow in Kings Street (tradition has it that Daniel Defoe met Alexander Selkirk (Robinson Crusoe) here, and it was Robert Louis Stevenson’s inspiration for the Admiral Benbow in Treasure Island) which makes us feel historically smug. They write: "We had a warm up night in June with lots of singing and jigging and buxom wenches offering cleavage nuzzling; there's a large contingent combing wigs and tuning their melodians as we speak. There will be pirate joke contest, mock sword fighting, some sword-balancing belly dancing(?), local pirate band Surfin' Turnips and piratical childrens' entertainers on a busman's holiday! 8pm Llandoger Trow, Friday 19th."
Bristol - "Having had a Pirates Day-Eve for our friend Will’s birthday, we are planning the official celebration all over the fair city of Bristol starting at noon Sept. 19 and finishing when there’s only one person left standing! It will start at the Llandoger Trow, but then progress to The Hatchet and possibly The Bierkeller. If we see other pirates we intend to force them to become part of our crew and hopefully create the biggest Bristol pirate crewage imaginable! YARRRGGH! All other pirates welcome to join us. Bring your own wench." - Captain Carly
Exeter - Pyrates! - "England's answer to Pirates of the Caribbean" be playing a piratical set of sea faring tunes for our night o' pirate night of mayhem at The Old Firehouse! - All pirate types welcome, so come all ye' pirates, rogues, scallywags, wenches, gentlemen of fortune an' lost sailors!
Huntingdon - "I am the HR person for the ARC IPT (Air Refuelling and Communications Integrated Project team) here at RAF Wyton near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK. Last year we celebrated this day in a very low key fashion, (mainly me dressing up and encouraging others to talk like a pirate). however this year I have commandeered the resource of the communications officer for our department and we are intending to celebrate 19 September in a more flamboyant and pirateseque style (possibly even flying the Jolly Roger from the Group Captains office). Unfortunately some of our pirates will not be able to dress up as they are service men and ladies for the Royal Air Force, however we will be encouraging all civilians within the department to dress up this year, and those who can't dress up can jolly well talk like a Pirate or feel my wrath." - Rachel Sudlow
Ilfracombe - "Our desparate scurvy crew of cutthroats, brigands and other professional types from Dorset are putting in at Ilfracombe in Devon for the weekend of 13th September. We'll be spendin' our dubloons and drinkin' and pillagin' and ...err eatin' curry. If ye see us come and say Aaaaaarrrgghh Haaarrrggghhh! - mind don't ye' upset Wrong Jon Silver or ye'll be sorry!!!!!!" - The Dread Pirate Phil
Lincoln - "Ahoy there, we're running a TLAPD event since it coincides with our full moon run in Lincoln, UK. We'll be dressed as pirates, singing piratey songs and drinking rum in the moonlight to celebrate. The website for a map and more information is www.loonh3.com. It is a running and drinking club that is free for newcomers, the event is on Friday 19th, starts at 19:30 and finishes late. Meet at the Liquorice Park Viewing Platform, Carline Road, Lincoln LN1 1HL" -- Cheers! Numbnuts
London - Our mate Cap'n Tom, the unofficial TLAPD representative in the UK, will be guest of honor at the London Pirate Festival, the 19th-21st in and around Clink Street, London (and his splendid Web site, Yarr.org.uk, lists a ton o' other TLAPD festivities in the UK as well!)
London -London pirates waved goodbye to the British summer in style onboard The Golden Jubilee listening to live music from Alex Starling, Sol Devious and Merlins. Upstairs on the outer deck there DJ Ixtanova spun the tunes all night long while revelers took in the famous waterside landmarks of London town from the Houses of Parliament, through the City of London and out past Docklands. Details at www.gigsonair.com
London - The London Borough of Enfield Libraries are celebrating TLAPD with a whole month of special after-school activities and family storytimes throughout September. There's a Pirratical Party on the 19th of September at the Edmonton Green Library from 3:15-5:15, featuring stories, crafts, and entertainment from Captain Bluster and his HMS Thunderblast. Children of all ages are invited to dress in their favourite pirate garb and come along for the fun.
London - "I’ll be in London on Sept.19, and will be wearin my “R” button from Pirate Mod. To be sure, I’ll raise a pint or six to ye and all yer Pirate Crew!" -- Capt’n Silverthorne of Gig harbor Washington
London - Shopkeepers at the Park Hall Trading Estate, Park Hall Road, London, planned to talk like Pirates, wear Pirate garb and give away Pirate themed treats to any children who visited the shops dressed as Pirates.
London - The staff at Hire Intelligence Central London talked like pirates and raising money for the Great Ormond Street Charity - for every pirate-themed order (for example, orders addressed to Mr. Blackbeard or marked with a skull and crossbones) they received on Sept. 19, they'll donate five pieces of eight (using the exchange rate 1POE = £1) to the cause.
Maidstone - The Swan, on Country Road, Maidstone, Kent hosted a Talk Like A Pirate Day party on Sept. 19 with free entry for those dressed like pirates. "Rum Rum cocktails, limbo, plank walking, treasure hunt and pirate name competition, Galleon cake, fruit kebabs (we struggled for ideas on pirate food!)" - First Mate Debbie
Norwich - "I would just like to show my love of pirates and give you my thanks for creating such an awesome day. My friends and I went into town dressed all in pirate clothes and promoted the holiday! It was great fun... Thanks again." --Tom Moore (14)
Queensbury - "Me and the guys that hang around the bike shop which i work in, (Firth Cycles, Queensbury, West Yorkshire, England) are going for a pirate bike ride. Dressed as pirates. We will be swashbuckling, pillaging and plundering on the way round. Pictures will undoubtedly follow shortly after the big day. We are on with practising our pirate accents. :)" - James 'Jim Lad' Simpson
Stevenage - In Hertfordshire, Capt Bigrobbo planned to gather his mates on Sept. 19 to kick off the Talk Like a Pirate celebrations early. They were to wear full garb, with rum and wenches flowing freely and the Jolly Roger on the mainsail. "Drink well, ou scorolous load of miserable maggot!" he writes.
Surrey - The Ashford Common Brownies, a 24-Brownie crew, celebrated TLAPD by dressing up, making pirate flags and having a treasure hunt.
West Yorkshire - "I am part of a small team of bar staff In a pub in West Yorkshire, England. We are planning on holding a pirate night on the 19th of september At our Pub. We have a few Ideas already such as Dressing up (obviously) and Making our own Pirate Grog From Pussers Rum..." - Becky (We'd be happy to include the name & addres o' the pub if they send it along ...)
Finland
Tampere - "There's going to be a depressing pirate get-together in Ravintola Hook (KehrÃsaari 101, Tampere) at 16.00. No special programme, all pirates are welcome." - Tiago C. (The Webwench says: Depressing? Where's yer pirate spirit? Mates, dressin' and cavortin' like pirates should be enough to lift anyone's spirits!)
Germany
Hamburg - "As of every year, we will celebrate TLAPD appropriately with gratuitious amounts of rum, insane singing, dangerous pirate-games and a merry mutiny. Since Captain ARRR lost his ship in a series of improbable events, the evening will be hosted under a new flag by Captain GEE this year, who is by the way, a girl. So everyone talking about about it being bad luck to have a girl aboard will be send down the plank! ARR!" - The pirates of Hamburg, Germany
Kiel - "As my son Steffen has his birthday on the 19th of September and with his age of nearly five years is one of the most dangerous pirates in Kiel (“Ich hau Dir den Kopf ab” – “I will chop off your head”), he will be pleased to see that you have chosen his birthday as the “talk like the pirate day”. Thank You." - Dirk Harders
Stuttgart - "The most evil and drunk of all pirates shall be awaiting yee at O'Reilly's Irish Pub in the Reuchlinstrasse 17-19. Are you man (or wench) enough for this? Do you have the brass monkeys to face our broadside? If not, perhaps yee would like to advise any land-locke bilge rats in the locality (or from further asea) that we are awaiting them as well... Doc "Bloody Fingers" Stanley and Pirate John "Fingerless and fumbling yet still strangely popular with the wenches" will be awaiting you... As long as they can avoid the eagle eyes of Commodore Dave Carroll! Please post this on your website to advise all others that the in(n) place to be on International Talk Like a Pirate Day in Stuttgart is O'Reilly's Irish Pub."
Iceland
Patreksfjordur - The new Patro Pirates House, an exhibition/cafe, planned to celebrate what is believed to be the first-ever Icelandic TLAPD with stories of Dutch, British and Scottish whalecathers who sailed around the Icelandic coast in 1650-1730. Writes shipmate Alda, "They also liked to attack each other at sea near land and fought many battles." TLAPD activities will feature re-enactors from a local theater group.
Parts unknown - "I'm from Iceland and I'm talking about this day to everyone so one of the kinder gardens here is going to celebrate this day and are going all out on this one." -- Bryan Smith
Italy
Florence - "I would like to thank you both for having the good sense to commemorate our wedding anniversary as TLAPD for eternity. For the last several years, my wife Nikki and I have greeted each other upon waking on 19 September with the words "Arrrrr, happy anniversary". This year, we celebrate our silver wedding anniversary with a gathering of thirty friends and family members at a villa just outside Florence, Italy - landlocked, so I have no fear of attack from the sea. Most of the gathering will be from Blighty (England, to the ignorant) like ourselves, plus a couple of friends from across the pond as well. The occasion is formal dress, plus eyepatches (though the guests haven't been told about the eyepatches - we thought that should be a surprise)." Yours, with timbers well and truly shivered, Rod Fine
Venice - "Arr! After the great success of the past year, we are back! Next to Venice, from September 18th to 20nd, at AeBricole Pub, via Martiri della Libertà 381, grog will flow, challenges will take place among the buccaneers (such as the olive-stone spitting contest) and you must not miss the exclusive pirate menu with its special, the Kraken Fillet. Absolutely free entrance for everyone.
The Netherlands
Amsterdam - "Avast! For t' Piratessa Amsterdandi's birthday is celebrated on t' 19 September throughout the seven seas and by land lovin' folks as well who dared board her ship and lived to tell t' tale. Thar will be a booty bash on her ship o' fools [her houseboat] afloat on t' conquered canals of Amsterdam. Come all but be ye warned: gifts and grog must be presented to t' Piratessa ere she finds herself with new deck swabbers t' clean up t' day after while she and Polly sleep it off."
Scotland
Glasgow - A brand-new UK pirate magazine, Pirate Press. threw its first-issue launch party is happening on Sept. 19. Read more about the magazine at www.piratepress.co.uk
Glasgow - Glasgow University's Queen Margret Union celebrated TLAPD by hosting a treasure island "cheesy pop" (cheesy pop is a club night at the union held every friday.)
Longniddry - Our ol' mate, the Rev. "Red Robin" Hill, (Official Ship's Chaplain of Talk Like A Pirate Day) won't let TLAPD pass unnoticed. This year, he writes, "Longniddry Parish Church will be proudly screenin' a greatly famed movie o' gallant muppetry, most pertinent to International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Families are imvited to come along bedecked in the claddin' o' pirates bold. Come to Longniddry Church on Friday 19th September at 7pm. Cheer when our village gets a mention (for surely it do, as surely as calm follows storm). Admission free!"
Wales
Cardiff - Swashbucklin' Siggy, Scourge of the Seas and his crew planedn to spend another TLAPD travelin' the taverns of Cardiff, starting at the Terra Nova in Cardiff Bay and then ramblin' on. Other crews are welcomed to join in the rampage.. "We don't know exactly where we be finishin' up, but we be docked for the night and not travellin' far! Last year was full o' drunken pirates an' we hope for the same this year!"
Africa
Nothing yet ...
Middle East
Iraq
Sgt. Glen Cuneo, of the 514th Medical company, will be spending his second TLAPD deployed in Iraq, "a pirate at heart still away from home his home port for the second time.. To celebrate , myself and others will still wear an eyepatch all day, using last years patch I saved! No wheel of fortune this year on the computer (of course allways picking the letter "r" if we were to play). I found a real wood board, so we will have a plank to walk, after we drink from the ceremonial Captain Geech Cup! I have been looking forward to this day since last year's world -wide celebration! It will give myself and others in my unit some goofy reason to celebrate something in a war zone thousands of miles from home. Since no alcohol is allowed over here, could you (once again!) raise mugs, filled with pirate grog, and have a toast to those who could not be with you on the 19th?" (The Pirate Guys have shipped Glen and his mates some copies of our books to lift their spirits while they're deployed).
Al-Asad - "I just got werd that there be a pirate day here in the desert in Iraq—AAARR! My love affair with the piratical sort began when I was in kindeegarten at the pirate parade in Tampa, FL—an’ I’ve got the pichers ta prove it! So forty years later I’m sailing the puddle in Iraq. Would ya be willin’ to donate a book or two for prizes for our pirate day this Sunday? They obviously can’t get here by then, but a certificate to that effect can! Perhaps some pictures of buxom beauties in piratical garb, suitable for framing could be emailed to boot?" -- Chaplain (Major) James R. Lewis, 371st Sustainment Brigade. (Note: Cap'n Slappy was glad to oblige, and some books will be wingin' their way to the desert sands as soon as he gets the brigade's mailing address.)
Israel
Jerusalem - Jonathan, writing from Jerusalem, says "Hopefully, the weekend of September 19 will be a blast. Perhaps I should buy some rum..... Either way, no big party planned so far, but if I get enough people into it - who knows? AAAARRRGGH!"
Asia
The Phillippines
Thailand
Khao Lak - " My friends and I have been living the pirate life here in south east Asia. Your holiday happens to fall on my dear sisters birthday so there isn't much of a chance to forget. Just know that we will be celebrating the only way we know how....Rum and Wenches on the high seas!" - From the gang at Mo's Boneyard.
Caribbean & the Seven Seas
The Crew from Pirate's Dinner Adventure will hittin the high seas on Carnival's Cruise Ship The Inspiration for a Talk Like a Pirate Celebration. Our Pirates have shanghaied over 200 people to sail from Orlando, Fla. to Cozmel, Mexico September 18th. While on the high seas September 19th they'll get lessons in talking like pirates, celebrate with contests for the best pirate talk and pirate costumes, and win prizes from the ships' gift shop.
Crew and nature guides aboard the Monarch Wildlife Cruises, out of Dunedin and Wellers Rock, New Zealand, planned to talk like pirates on Sept. 19th. "No eyepatches however," writes wildlife guide Jamie McEwan, "as it's hard to throw lines and berth the boat with no depth perception."
The Carnival Cruise ship Destiny has made a regular thing out of Talk Like A Pirate Day for several years. This year, the destiny came out of dry-dock just in time to set sail from Freeport, Bahamas Sept. 19 to make the run to Miami. "With eye patches, and parrots on hand (and with luck no scurvy) we will parrrty hard." writes cruise director Darcy Knievel
I came upon a coincidence so perfect, I just had to share it with the Pirate Guys. For my grandparents' 50th anniversary, we are going on a 3-night Disney Cruise to the Caribbean. It just so happens that we are going to be on the high seas on Talk Like A Pirate Day! It's very possible, in fact, that Disney might have their Pirates In the Caribbean party on that night! Is that perfect, or what?? -A Very Excited ShellFish
"This year we be at the east end of Grand Cayman, an original pirate destination and hideaway. The harr-i-canes have gone, but we're ready to weather out any storm that comes our way. My wenches are working on their pirate language, and though we're beached, we be havin' a salty time watchin' the pieces-o'-eight wash up on the beach and plunderin' the ships that are wrecked on the reef. Have a good TLAPD...now pardon me as I go have a wee dram of Nelson's blood..." -- Amy Rixmann
Oceania & the Antipodes
Where Talk Like A Pirate Day comes early every year ...
Australia
Armidale NSW - "AVAST MATIES, we will be gathering the crew to cerebrate international talk like a priate day and the passing o’ Captain Jason’s 30th year. The wearing o’ fine pirate garb is expected, and yE scurvy dogs not obliging will be walkin’ the plank." - Cap'n Anna M.
Canberra - "You may need to add Canberra to your international page .. there were people dressed up as pirates all over the place this weekend!! hahaha " - Allan E.
Donnybrook - "Here in rural Western Australia we celebrate TLPD every year, and it's getting bigger! We are a combined high school and public library, and held a childrens storytime yesterday with a pirate theme. We made parrots, cutlasses and telescopes.
We managed to scare a few littlies but the mums all thought it was funny!" - Barbara, Margaret Kerryn & Louise, Donnybrook District High School (photo)Gove, Northern Territory - "We are having a sunset sail (or sitting on the Yacht drinking a few ales in the doldrums perchance) on Melville bay to mark the occasion here in Gove ... We will be Celebrating on our mighty vessel 12.2 South." -
Hervey Bay - The charter whale-watching fleet in Hervey Bay celebrated TLAPD on board their vessels, including the MV MIKAT. "All of the fleet operating on Friday join in the fun, our passengers love the interaction with other boats and crew as we pass the pirate booty between each vessel whilst watching humpback whales in paradise." - Andrew Ellis
Ipswich - Murphy's Town Pub in Ipswich, Queensland, celebrated TLAPD with a mighty concert featuring Scuurvy, The Flangiapannis and Dementia 13. More information is available here. Scuurvy will also be offering their EP with some stickers online for only $5 AUD with free postage world wide.
Port Pirie - The Port Pirie Youth Theatre will present two performances of "The Pirate Queen on Sept. 19th.
Rockhampton, Queensland - News on Denham, a are a small newsagent in the Leichhardt Building, decorated the shop in pirate gear, wear pirate garb - and even built a pirate ship in front of the shop. All this week they're running special promos with cash giveaways. "We were in the local newspaper and hopefully the television crew will come tomorrow," write crew members Darren, Leanne and Amy.
Rockhampton - "Our niece is marrying on Saturday (a day late), with the theme of the wedding being dress up as a pirate." - Gryph
Sydney - The dastardly crew of "The Foul Strumpet" (clandestinely known as the Royal Australian Navy's Naval Personnel Training Centre - East) held a 'Bare-foot Cannonball Rolling' competition at the Waverly Bowls Club at 0930. We'll then proceed to pillage a local tavern (a cafe in Bondi) where prizes and booty will be distributed accordin' to the Pirate Code!
Sydney - "In the land down under it is already TLAP day and we have spread the word be talking like a pirate over my train's PA system!" - Rob
Townsville - Talk LIke A Pirate Day was celebrated once again at James Cook University, "this time even bigger than before," writes Steven Mangles. "Most likely there will be balloon swords for everyone as well as lots of pirate fun and games." More information on Facebook.
New Zealand
Christchurch - "As a host of a thrice-weekly after dark tour, Ghost Walk, I intend taking the lubberly scum who dare cross my heading on a nautical ghost tour, replete with tricorn, Impressive Coat, eyepatch, cutlass, pistol, wooden leg. In short, everything a self respecting pirate needs. I'll be regaling the freshwater swabs with readings of "The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate", "The Great Piratical Rumbustification", both by Margaret Mahy and "The Tale of Custard The Dragon" by Ogden Nash. Blast ye scuppers, then it'll be off to the Sand Dance Cafe to jam with the Pirate Ukulele Band, hosted by Captain Long John Knickers." -- The Dread Pirate Roberts
The poles:
Antarctica
South Pole Station - The sixty frozen souls wintering at the South Pole celebrated the return of the sun with a sunrise dinner on TLAPD. Writes Ethan "Themis Coldstones" Dicks, "I've made a point of salting away the last bottle of Captain Morgan's Rum on station to ensure we have suitable libations. With the equinox nigh, the timing couldn't be better. We'll have the first sunlight in six months to light up our festivities into the wee hours of the morning, and the best part is that once the sun rises above the yardarm, it stays above the yardarm!"
Parts unknown
I wanted to let you know that even in the Wildland firefighter community we celebrate Talk like a pirate day whether we're workin on fires or not. Last year there were thousand of firefighters in Cascade, Idaho working on containing the Cascade complex and even the more serious "there is no playing around" type bosses and overhead on the fire were talking like pirates over the radio, people wearing eye patches (hats aren't permitted due to safety) and all kinds of craziness considering we're fighting some seriously huge flames at the same time. They even announced it to everybody in the morning breifing and had some pirate terms in the IAP (Incident Action Plan) and made everybody practice them before going to work. - Cap'n Geoff
My birthday be on this scurrrvy day! I plans to have a massive pirate party, with a pirate boat filled with rum! -- Luvv Wikki the Wacky.
Just be belying here to inform the one who's listening of this here sea-rat's plan of the 19th of september in this year. You see, on that rum-full day, me mother and her man are putin' them selves into the boat of bonding. Exanging shiny golden rings and canon fire, if ye catch me drift. They might not be weary of the speciality of that there day, but you can be yer beard for it that I be roaring a loud Yaergh every now than around. -- Yanik
on that day i will celebrate my birthday party talk like a pirate and get stoned! HAHHAHAHAHAHA ... - Ian LaTondre
For the past three years, we have hosted a pirate party the first weekend after TLAPD. We will continue the tradition this year with a long weekend of merriment, entertainment, and debauchery. Last year we topped off at over a 100 participants, we are aiming for 150 scurvy dogs this year. We have Pirate Billy to provide musical entertainment, Sebastian Arms (meself) to provide pirate humor and direction and a bevy of wenches to monitor the wee ones and various pirate themed activities. Fireworks and dancing into the early morning to occur. - Your grateful servant, Sebastian Arms
As my 29th year of school bus driving rolls near…..I of course get the kids ( K-12) ready for talk like a pirate day. We will be breaking in a new crew this year but I have learned since last that a lot of the teachers where aware of talk like a pirate day and I hope to include them to make everything go smooth. Last year I opened the doors of the bus/ship and spilled out the scurvy crew yelling and swashbuckling imaginary crews and their opinions onto the school grounds. This year they will be ready for them. -- Teri W.
"Last year I dressed like a pirate and encouraged my entire office to do likewise. I brought in a large cookie decorated with skull and cross-bones, Capt'n Crunch, Captain's Wafers and Limeaide. We had lunch at a place up the road called Captain Bill's. It was a good time to all those who participated." - -Captain Scarlett
"I plans on discoursin' (I'm actually a privateer, not a pirate, sose I can talk educated-like) w/me grandson in the Pirate Mode. Wonder how long it'll be afore his lubbery Da' makes us pipe down?" - Ted (36°0'13" N, 96°6'17" W)
"I work at a large call center, we handle inbound calls for Hewlett Packard products, as well as some Microsoft products (ad center, and MSN TV).My supervisor told us that company policy states that since it is a recognized day around the world, we are allowed to talk like a pirate on all our calls. The catch is that if we talk like a pirate on a call, we need to talk like a pirate the whole way through, otherwise it is a performance issue and we can be written up for it." - Cap'n Ray
Cox Communications staff at an undisclosed location evidently have the go-ahead to Talk Like Pirates on Friday. "Most of us can not wear our traditional swashbuckling gear, but all conference calls and meetings will be conducted using the talk of the sea! This will be our 3rd year of hoisting the main sail and letting our colors be shown!" - Cap'n Tyrannosaurus Zabek
All this month, I've been spreading the word about Talk Like A Pirate Day. I printed out many flyers to hang everywhere and to inform my fellow classmates of the wonderful holiday you brilliant pirates have blessed us with. For TLAPD I plan to rampage around my school with my pirate mates and have a piratey good time . . . .and tape it. You guys are my heroes *tear* - Haiku Maven
I LOVE talk like a pirate day. My students have so much fun with it. We read picture books like Pirate Pete and Pirates Don't Change Diapers , write in journals about things that are treasured, work on map skills, and even bury a treasure and draw up a map. - ~Rebecca
My favorite part of the day is exchanging my cash for "gold" sacagawea coins and insisting on calling them dabloons. Then I buy rum and ask people if they have a lime because I'm getting scurvy - Christian M.
To celebrate talk like a pirate day, I'm going to the local elementary school to read books about pirates to the kids! - Sheah H.
Ahoy! I just wanted t'tell ye that today be me birthday. I be plannin' on talkin' like a pirate all day. That is, if I can remember. It's me 21st today... we will see if remember half t'thin's I do! Arrr. Rashidul K.
Our school be holding our annual Fall Carnival today.... the theme this year be "treasure hunt"(a PC version of pirates). We'll be having all sorts of swashbucklin' fun activities and hosting a crew of scury pirates. - Tara B.
My friends and I believe that we are pirates every time we hit the rum. I have a minor case of gout and I love to drink Bacardi & coke (which I call a Julien) so I was given the following name. Tonight we will show our support by chuggin rum by an outside fire til we’re good and sloshed. -- Captn Julien Gout Foot
I shall be doin nothin fer th' glorious hollerday this year due t'illness (not rum related) but I will tell ye the wee kitties got new kitty-cat collers with the mark of the skull and bones all over for this year's remembrance, authentic gear of course right down to the merry black bells, and are swannin about me home like the little pirates they are...Ozzie the Oyster Seal, an 8 pounder and the baby of the crew, Black Lucky, weighing in at a hearty 11 pounds! Keep a hope in yer heart that they won't mutiny whilst I'm under the weather! --
Regards, Jean at the WindowEvery year, I send all correspondence via Pants Pirate. - Salty Shelly
I'm going to drink Rum talk like a pirate and piss my wench wife off cuz I won't stop all weekend drink up my harties yaho - Mark K.
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