Keep To The Code

[Captain's Swag]

17th Annual Gold Coast Pirate Faire
"Worlds largest gathering of Pirates"

Sept 20th-21st & 27th-28th, 2008

Lake Casitas Ojai, CA
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day


http://www.goldcoastfestivals.com/piratefaire/piratefestpg1.html

Anyone going?
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"Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all." - Johnny Depp

[saxon1014]

I would love to...gotta see it can be managed.
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I aim to misbehave...

[Norrington]

We do! Although I am not sure which weekend....or perhaps both?

[CrazyCompass]

There's never been a gathering like this in our lifetme....
I wish I could go, but I am stuck in Seattle,Wa.
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[Captain Andros]

If many of us from SoCal go, it'll be for opening day.

There will be special events happening, then.

AND, it's the day after Talk Like a Pirate Day!
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BOB SAGET!!!

[Norrington516]

Where exactly IS said Ojai? I do hope I can make it to one if not both weekends. Its really about time I bring out either Clear as Mud Jackie or Austin Danger Sparrow - as well as Scruffington.

Is there a ship, boat, dinghy, greyhound, amtrak, bumblebee I can take there?

J.Norrington Sparrow / Clear as Mud Jackie
(Tom, BPP)
_________________
"YOU have got to be the worst pirate I've ever heard of..."


Artwork by RANDOM PIRATE

[Captain's Swag]

Norrington516 Ojai is not too far from Ventura but a little bit more inland.

here is a map
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ojai&ie=UTF8&ll=34.383679,-119.129562&spn=0.382501,0.565796&z=11
The marker shows the town of Ojai but the faire is at Lake Casitas (?)
Sorry I don't about transport. You might check Amtrak online.


I've got the dates on my calendar! I won't know closer to the date when I can go. But I think I'll try to go for one day.
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"Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all." - Johnny Depp

[Jack's Girl]

I wish I could go but we will be in Orlando

[Captain's Swag]

[Captain's Swag]

bump bump

Ok I'm making my plans for next month...who all is going and which weekend or both??
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"Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all." - Johnny Depp

[Siryn]

I'll be there! Maybe the first day...not sure yet.. Depends on what the rest of the crew is doing *looks at the Marked Men crew*
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Proud Member of the CPM

[Captain's Swag]

I'll be there!
I'm making plans for both weekends.
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"Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all." - Johnny Depp

[Siryn]

[Captain Andros]

I know a majority of pirates are headed up for the first weekend.

Halloween Haunt starts up for me during the second weekend of Ojai! Meep! It's October already!
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BOB SAGET!!!

[Siryn]

[RumbaRue]

Pirates of Treasure Cove will be there both weekends. You can find me and the crew right next to the stage near the front entrance.


Rumba



P.S. I did nine years of Knott's Halloween Haunt and was the Pig Lady for a time, along with doing stunts on top of the saloon with the pyrotecnic guys, and just having a fun time on the Ghost Town streets.
In fact my picture of me as the Pig Lady along with some other people I worked with (we are hanging about one of the stage coaches), hang in the offices at the place.
I still have the packet that was sent to people for advertisement, that includes that picture and a few others and even one of Elvira.

[Captain Andros]

Seems I'll be attending with my group, Bucaneers of Tortuga!

BUT, I"ll be there later on, Saturday evening and we'll be camping.







PS *bows in awe to Rumba* Rumba, you have my utmost respect! You are one of the many reasons why I chose to work Haunt, as you and others inspired me to 'cross the veil' and be part of it. This is my 10th year and I still love it! I'll talk to you up at Ojai! Please, please keep a weathered eye out! I wanna talk to you! (perhaps even obtain an autograph!!)
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BOB SAGET!!!

[RumbaRue]

PS *bows in awe to Rumba* Rumba, you have my utmost respect! You are one of the many reasons why I chose to work Haunt, as you and others inspired me to 'cross the veil' and be part of it. This is my 10th year and I still love it! I'll talk to you up at Ojai! Please, please keep a weathered eye out! I wanna talk to you! (perhaps even obtain an autograph!!)[/quote]


If I can remember to bring my Knott's stuff, I think you'd get a real kick out of it.
I've got a photo album of people I worked with, and even a newspaper article of me trying to drink through a straw with the Pig Lady appliances on my face.
Just look for me either at Pirates of Treasure Cove by the front stage near the entrance or you can find me riding around on my scooter with my new skeleton - Laughing Larry.

**I'm afraid my last skeleton - Ded Fred, got de-capitated at the Channel Islands event when trying to load to scooter into my van, and when I got home, his body separated as well. Good thing the Halloween decor is coming out - picked up my new skeleton at Big Lots.

[Captain Blackheart]

Looks like I might end up attending Sept 21. It's the only day I have available this month and a friend just emailed me asking if I thought we should go.

Never been before. So, from the photos on their site, I gather this is a non-period-specific pirate gathering. Although it looks like they have a Queen Elizabeth (why???), but it also looks like plenty of 18th century pirates attend. Am I correct? Thinking of going in a basic 18th century pirate look. Not that it matters what anyone thinks of it, but just thought I'd ask those of you who have gone before.

What kind of activities happen at this fest? Is it Renn Faire-ish?
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My motorsport photography site: http://www.cheryljonesphoto.com - You don't have to be a racing fan to enjoy the photos!

[RumbaRue]

In the past we did have to put up with the Queen wandering around which was really dumb, considering it is suppose to be a pirate faire.

However, I hear through the grapevine that the Queen's court is being turned into a Pirate Court....that remains to be seen.....

The Ojai Pirate faire is currently the BIGGEST pirate event on the west coast. Sure it looks like a Ren-faire, but with probably over a thousand people dressed in pirate type garb, and vendors selling interesting piratey stuff, it makes for a fun time.

[Captain Blackheart]

Okay, well, my friend and I are definitely set for Sept 21, so hopefully I'll see some of my fellow KTTC friends there.

Thanks for the info, RumbaRue!
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My motorsport photography site: http://www.cheryljonesphoto.com - You don't have to be a racing fan to enjoy the photos!

[Siryn]

I'm so sad! I'm not sure if I can make it this year. My car's been acting up and I'm afraid to drive it so far..especially since I can't find anyone to go with me (the first weekend anyway). So basically I don't have a ride up there. And the second weekend is a maybe since I'm waiting to find out if my friends will be going.

bah!
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Proud Member of the CPM

[RumbaRue]

Ojai, Sept. 20-21, 27-28

All right, come one and all to the best pirate event on the west coast!


Hope to see you there!

[Captain Blackheart]

So, uh... is this actually located at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area (or whatever it's called)? The official website seems to be a bit light on specific directions to the site. Just take the Ojai hwy off Hwy 101 and watch for signs???? How does one get there, exactly? I do like to have my course plotted ahead of time.
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My motorsport photography site: http://www.cheryljonesphoto.com - You don't have to be a racing fan to enjoy the photos!

[Captain Blackheart]

Aha!! Managed to find our way out to Lake Casitas yesterday and had a terrific time at the Pirate Fest. Not quite as large a shindig as we expected, but it was good fun and a great chance to sit and people watch (pirate watch?). Briefly met RumbaRue, as well, which was a delight.

Bought meself a very lovely pirate coat, from Samiah (look her up online), who I'd been carefully avoiding at faires and festivals for a few years now. They got me to try on a beautiful, black brocade coat that just really topped-off the Capt. Blackheart look. Rather expensive, but worth every penny. It's still with them for a small alteration, but I should have it in my hands by late October. Will take a photo wearing all my gear at that time and post here. Oh, I love the coat!! Can't wait to show it off!!

Already looking forward to next year's Pirate Faire!
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My motorsport photography site: http://www.cheryljonesphoto.com - You don't have to be a racing fan to enjoy the photos!

[Norrington]

Attended on Saturday! Captain's Swag was gracious enough to come up and say "hi".
Saw Brandon looking FABULOUS in his Jack garb....had two very lovely ladies on his arms.

I thought this was a nice event, lots of friendly vendors and some decent shade!
Will definitely attend next year - in fact, some of us were talking of actually having an encampment to sleep overnight one weekend.

Which reminds me....the Rumrunners encampment was simply OUTSTANDINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[RumbaRue]

Good to see you again Capt. Norrington, you certainly were an unexpected surprise!
Hope you enjoyed the event and hope you can make it back in the future.

Rumba

[Norrington516]

Official report to the Admiralty to follow shortly...


The Navy's Here!!
From left: Lt.Chaloner Willoughby RN, Bosun Kirke, Lt. John "Jack" Ash RN, Lord Tom Beckett EITC

We approached the encampment of the privateers cautiously... their name, 'Pirates of the Double Cross' certainly gave us a moment of pause...





We were welcomed by the fiercesome Captain Martin Greydog and his crew of privateers...



To prove their loyalty and devotion to King George, they offered us refreshments from their ample stores...



... and captured one of the despicable rogues which had been a plague on the unhappy colony... this wretch who said his name was "Larry" was placed in the stocks for some hours and then kicked out, no doubt having meditated upon the error of his evil ways.



The next morning saw our attack on the main stronghold of the pirates...







Commodore James Norrington lead the attack with gallantry and spirit, encouraging the men with his sword held aloft...



naturally, as Chairman of the East India Company, I held aloof of the action preferring instead to coordinate the assault from my headquarters...



The pirates in the colony were quickly dealt with...



.... they were tried by Admiralty Court under Commodore Norrington...



... and their freedom was immediately and irrevocably SUSPENDED.



The Admiralty Court pronounces sentence...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o6ncc0a5I

For his courage and gallantry the Commodore won the hearts of the womenfolk of the colony...



... who begged of him keepstakes and trinkets to be treasured from generation to generation.



For my part... I was content in knowing that justice had been restored by cannonade and cutlass and all manner of remorseless pieces of metal.



Nothing personal of course... just good business.

Compliments to Cankankerous Jan for some of the woodcuts in the preceeding narrative.

Your Most Humble Servant,
Lord Tom Beckett,
Chairman of the East India Trading Company
(Tom, BPP)
_________________
"YOU have got to be the worst pirate I've ever heard of..."


Artwork by RANDOM PIRATE

[saxon1014]

Your artist of the woodcuts is quite skilled. T'was nearly as good as being there!

Huzzah!
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I aim to misbehave...

[Norrington516]

To the Lords of Admiralty,

I am pleased and honoured to report the successful conclusion of the recent campaign for the Ojai Colony in the Americas. Once a wretched, lawless colony established by the Spanish in the New World, it is now prospering under the benevolent guidance of the East India Trading Company and shall in future prove a bastion of strength which ensures the security of the British Empire in the region.

We received intelligences from our most esteemed privateer, a certain Captain Martin Greydog (who was of immense assistance to His Majesty's naval forces in securing the Belmont Fortress a few months ago) that his crew of loyal rogues had made landfall in this colony which had, apparently been left by the Spanish to their own devices. Lawlessness, villany, immorality and pestilence filled the town as scoundrels and vagabonds prowled the streets in search of honest citizens to plunder. It was a state of affairs that, as good Christian Englishmen, we could not allow to continue unchecked. Knowing, however of the recent commitments that His Majesty's military forces had made to other parts of the world, I was hesitant to respond unless we could respond with a show of force that would over awe not merely the denizens of the town but this Captain Greydog and his crew. I have learned, from bitter experience, that pirates are not to be trusted particularly those who would audaciously christen themselves, the Privateers of the Double Cross.

It was then that the gallant gentlemen of His Majesty's Ship STOUT, Captain Wigglesworth commanding, offered to lend their power to the expedition. We have sailed together on many occasions including the successful attack on the Belmont Fortress and I had the utmost faith in the veteran officers under Wigglesworth's command, notably Lt.John Ash and Lt.Chaloner Willoughby. Lt.Willoughby proved himself a bold and resourceful officer, having secured the services of an excellent Bo'sun, Mister Kirke, without whom this expedition would certainly have been short-lived. Thus His Majesty's Eastern Caribbean Squadron weighed anchor and set sail for the colony of Ojai.

We knew not what to expect, only that we must be on our guard. Once HMS Stout had docked, Bo'sun Kirke set up our headquarters and we set off in search of Captain Greydog. Upon reaching the town, we discovered that conditions were not as bad as we thought, though we kept ourselves on our guard. As we made our way through the town we took note of many familiar faces in the Caribbean pirate community - this town seemed to attract more vermin than a plague ship and we would have our work cut out for us if we were to prevent this unhappy locale from becoming a second Tortuga. As we progressed to the edge of town we caught sight of a lone sailor escorting a lady of quality and her whelps. He introduced himself as a sailor from HMS Surprise, a fine and well renowned ship in His Majesty's navy and we were most grateful for his company as we approached Greydog's encampment.

We were pleasantly surprised when the crew of Greydog's ship, the Orange Marmelade, welcomed us warmly not with cutlass and shot, but with cool refreshments. While we welcomed the refreshments, for surely it was a hot day, we were prepared for sudden ambush or for the possibility that this was being done to lull us into complacency or to win our confidence. We were not taken in so easily and we were nearly proven right when a band of ruffians from the town endeavoured to assault the encampment, supported by a pirate ship. Yet, instead of betraying us to the pirates, Greydog's men beat off the villains. To further prove his loyalty, he captured a pathetic looking dreadlocked rogue who protested his innocence and introduced himself as "Larry". The scoundrel was put in the stocks to teach him a lesson and then kicked back into town.

The heat was stifling and Lt.Ash, Bo'sun Kirke and myself retired to the quarters aboard the HMS Stout for rest and refreshment, while the gallant Lt.Willoughby reconnoitred the town. We returned with promised provisions for Greydog's crew - these were the terms of his service and if I may interject, never was loyalty so readily and cheaply bought. Along the way, I was approached by some young militia in red coats who asked me if I was a certain colonial officer named 'George Washington'. I introduced myself and they readily toasted the King's health and shared their heated and sugar caramel coated corn with me. Meanwhile, Lt.Willoughby and Bo'sun Kirke maneuvered the HMS Stout to a more defensible position by Greydog's encampment - enabling us to at once protect the encampment and ensure their loyalty as they were well within pistolshot of our broadsides.

In the evening Captain Greydog and his crew provided a sumptuous feast to which we added our own fresh vegetables, recently purchased in the colonies. A raucous and enjoyable meal was had by all, though not without a great amount of rough horseplay among the crew. Following dinner, the officers, the Bo'sun and I walked about town ensuring that the revelries did not get out of hand - though there was a fair amount of drunkenness and immorality among these rogues there was no violence and we were able to walk about town without much incident. We met the militia once more and they introduced themselves as The Queen's Light Horse. This struck me as odd as our late queen, the Goodly Queen Anne, has been this many years laid to rest and King George sits on the throne now. This interesting and mysterious name would be explained on the morrow as I shall shortly demonstrate.

In the morning, we readied ourselves for the battle which was to come. The Privateers of the Double Cross were confirmed by Letter of Marque to be loyal officers of His Majesty and a plan of action was drawn up for storming the town. We approached by the shore under the guns of the HMS Stout and the Orange Marmalade while the privateers proved themselves quite handy with their musket volleys. The outlying bastions were quickly taken and it seemed like the pirates had melted away, leaving only their women, sturdy and lovely wenches as had ever graced a colony, to oppose us. We naturally behaved like gentlemen and Englishmen and this seemed to win their hearts for they did not oppose us for long. We took only a few prisoners storming the bastions and all that remained was to flush out the rest of the scoundrels. We paraded the prisoners through the streets to make an example of them and when Greydog's men recognized their erstwhile piratical companions, these were quickly put in chains as well.

We proceeded to the lodgings of the Ojai governor. At the gate we were informed that he was absent, by a most curious fellow. He was dressed in the style common to the good queen Bess, a style that had gone out of fashion centuries ago. He had the manners of a swineherd and the stench of one however and when informed about this he was cut to the quick and took immediate offense. We demanded entrance in the name of our Good King George and he replied that he served the Queen. We were shocked that this apparent Englishman would be so bold as to suggest that there be any other monarch of England than King George of Hanover and we were about to storm the gates when it occurred to me that these were the remains of Sir Walter Raleigh's tragic and doomed LOST COLONY of ROANOAKE. They had apparently set sail, when supplies had not arrived from England and starvation threatened them, and landed in the Ojai colony. While adhering to the true Christian, Anglican faith, they had also become convinced that the red headed lady who ruled over them was Queen Elizabeth of the Royal House of Tudor and by this token they had built their colony, living in a past that had long been passed by by the world. The Spanish had endeavoured to take it from them but they had managed to hold on in spite of terrible odds, guarded by their red coated horse militia, pike and shot and even Beefeaters. Being (somewhat deluded) Englishmen, we wished them well and proceeded on our way.

We were able to take prisoners and the three most notorious were tried by the Admiralty Court which was presided over by Commodore James Norrington RN. The first man conviced was a Scots-Irishman named Duncan - he was cleared of piracy by the court but, convicted of stealing the watch of no less than the judge of the Admiralty Court, Commodore Norrington. Despite his pleas that the watch had been 'planted' he was sentenced to be hung by the neck until dead for its theft. The second man, known only by the common colonial name of Joshua, was given benefit of clergy, branded on the thumbs and impressed into His Majesty's navy. An auction was held among the ladies (and gentlemen so inclined) for the services of the new 'volunteer'. Finally there was the infamous pirate, Thaddeus Stynky - with a "Y". While professing his innocence, this scoundrel did not realize that he was but setting a trap that he would fall into himself. It became clear to all that this vile and dissolute wretch had experienced unnatural relations with a dog, while at the same time endangering the public health by means of vile chemicals and poisons that secreted from his unwashed body. This utterly abhorrent and craven wretch was sentenced to be pilloried for eight hours to teach him the error of his ways.

One of the colonials, a woodcut artist, accosted the commodore and protested against what he perceived were unfair arrests and unjustly high taxes. The good commodore was unable to convince the fool of the error of his ways but such is the way of those whose radical liberalism gets in the way of simple common sense. Taxes are required to maintain good government, to protect the citizenry from the depredations of the merciless by means of fleets and soldiers and yet this simpleton could not be convinced. It would be a pity if there were more ungrateful wretches in these American colonies - perhaps one day they may even dare to dream of that gilded and ruthless cage called 'freedom'.

While the commodore walked through town he accused some honest merchants of committing a ghastly crime - the skeletal evidence of which was half buried in the ground for all to see. He was outraged that His Majesty's government, while taxing him outrageously (according to him, naturally a vastly overblown sentiment) was not taking steps to punish the criminals who had murdered this fellow. The commodore heard the side of the merchants who informed him that the man was called 'STEWART'. Now of course, the STEWARTS are the family of the PRETENDER who would seek to usurp the rightful throne of King George. Thus did the Commodore, when apprised of the death of said Stewart, instead PRAISE the loyal citizens for having rid their town of the evil agents of the pretender. The woodcut artist stumbled away, doubtless muttering traitorous imprecations, yet the Commodore, in his mercy, decided that the fool had lost his senses and was no threat to the public peace.

For his good service, the Commodore was much admired by the women folk of the town who begged him to sit for their portraitists and woodcut artisans.

Thus was the Ojai colony brought into the orbit of the Crown and Empire, and it remains a happy and civilized town to this day.

My compliments to Captain Greydog and his loyal crewe, his good lady wife Cankankerous Jan, Oderlesseye and his good lady, Dr.Arik and his good lady, Captain Wigglesworth, Lt. John Ash and Lt. Chaloner Willoughby of HMS Stout, Bo'sun Kirke and the good people of Ojai who served His Majesty with loyalty and faithfulness.

God save the King!

I am your most obedt.servant,

LORD TOM BECKETT, EAST INDIA TRADING COMPANY
COMMODORE JAMES NORRINGTON, ROYAL NAVY
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"YOU have got to be the worst pirate I've ever heard of..."


Artwork by RANDOM PIRATE