Iron Jon

You can use what you want any time.

I think posts like the one are part of the confusion about the use of the name PIP or Pirates in Paradise. I guess there must have been some major change in the 30 days or so since this was written.

Great Idea!!

Those two descriptions still sound like the same basic objective to me, there must be more to it. The battles and encampments going on inside the fort also show Key West's maritime heritage and history, probably even more so than pirate themed contests held in the local establishments and Thieves Market vendors selling pirate and nautical related items. Why are they still under PIP name but the rest is not? I'm not trying to be argumentative, but seeing as I was the one called out for preferring to do only one part this year and mistakenly calling it PIP, I would like to know. Aren't we all pirates here after all, how is it that the two things are supposedly geared to different audiences like you say.

So, I think I understand it... Pirates in Paradise is now the retail and marketing side of things happening in town, and Fort Taylor Pirate Invasion is the re-enacting, volunteer side operating under the ever changing rules of the park system which happened to keep out some of the vendors due to historical accuracy in previous years??? Or am I still not getting it? Like Mission, I still don't see the need to say that FTPI is not part of PIP. I think they will always be combined here on the Pub since we are so used to it now.

That would be my question - When and why did the two events get separated? As far back as I can can find (searching in the archives here) they were one and the same. It seems that there were always several different venues holding different pirate and nautical themed events all under the umbrella name of "Pirates in Paradise". Now it is forbidden to refer to anything going on inside the fort as being part of PIP. Maybe the powers that be can explain this to me so I don't misspeak in any future post about any November/December events in Key West. Here are a few early posts I found that show this quite clearly (highlights and emphasis my own) - Posted 22 January 2004 - 12:32 AM I think you might find that some of the changes/additions going on at Pirates in Paradise may just fit some of the needs here - there's talk of an encampment at a very cool, historical venue with lots of chances to live and be Pirates while still attending some of the more public events. It would accept the historical needs of those who like to pursue it and the more open interpretation of piracy at some of the more party oriented events. Posted 24 August 2004 - 09:59 AM There seems to be some confusion about when Pirates in Paradise is and how long. So here's the scoop. The festival is still 10 days long, from Nov. 25 through Dec. 5. There's the usual balls, parties, pub runs, sea battles, etc. The only thing that has changed is the Thieves’ Market. The actual marketplace is a three day event on the last weekend (Dec. 3-5). It will be held at Fort Taylor along with a period encampment, entertainment, fight circles and such. The 10 day festival will culminate at the fort with a big feast in the bricked section.

Well said, every word of it. Thanks!

So, is that the only problem with my post? I'm sorry, was there another pirate invasion going on during the Pirates in Paradise festival that I'm unaware of? If there wasn't then me referring to the event inside the fort as "PIP pirate invasion" should not cause such an outcry from a select few. I could even call it the Key West pirate invasion if I chose to... or would that bring the anger of all the "civilians" in Key West down upon me?

Same here, we never made it outside of the fort location of the Pirates in Paradise/Fort Taylor Pirate Invasion since arriving Thursday until leaving on Monday. Many of those participating never even felt the need to go elsewhere since so much was available and going on within the fort grounds. Between the battles, photo shoots, cooking, eating, drinking, fellowship, partying, singing, etc, etc, etc, there was never enough time to visit the more civilian events outside of the actual PIP pirate invasion. We even had our share of period pirate vendors inside the fort and we made a point of getting something from each of them. It was great to see and talk to everyone again and many, many thanks go out to Fayma, Lily, the fort employees, and all the others Pyracy Pub members who help put the pirate encampment together and made the greatest part of the PIP festival possible. Come to think of it, while re-reading my previous post, I feel that I have nothing at all to apologize for or defend!

No slight or insult was intended to you or the others in my use of words in my previous post. I used "civilian" intending the meaning - a : of or relating to citizens b : of or relating to the state or its citizenry c : of, relating to, or involving the general public, their activities, needs, or ways, or civic affairs as distinguished from strictly military affairs Seeing as how the battles between the pirates, pirate hunters, British, and Spanish soldiers and their encampments were located inside a military fort the use of the word "civilian" for the events outside of the fort (which also involve the general public) is not derogatory in my opinion. I have seen or participated in the events you mentioned in previous years, as well as the Ann and Mary trial, and enjoyed them very much. I chose not to attend those same events this year as I was having a good enough time doing the things I enjoy more and this filled up my weekend with little time to spare.

There are a few pictures taken by cell phone camera posted here on FaceBook - 2010 FTPI Pirate Encampment at Pirates in Paradise

PM sent!

Same here, we never made it outside of the fort location of the Pirates in Paradise/Fort Taylor Pirate Invasion since arriving Thursday until leaving on Monday. Many of those participating never even felt the need to go elsewhere since so much was available and going on within the fort grounds. Between the battles, photo shoots, cooking, eating, drinking, fellowship, partying, singing, etc, etc, etc, there was never enough time to visit the more civilian events outside of the actual PIP pirate invasion. We even had our share of period pirate vendors inside the fort and we made a point of getting something from each of them. It was great to see and talk to everyone again and many, many thanks go out to Fayma, Lily, the fort employees, and all the others Pyracy Pub members who help put the pirate encampment together and made the greatest part of the PIP festival possible.

I would think that he would go to the blacksmith to have a harpoon head made in any style that he wanted.

Anyone traveling down I-95 to Key West in the next few days and needing a rest is invited to stop by on the way. We're in the Melbourne/Palm Bay area and just a few miles off the highway and would welcome the company. There's a few extra rooms to spread out you sleeping gear if needed too. We'll be heading out ourselves early Thursday morning to arrive at the Fort hopefully around noon. It's a little over 320 miles and should be close to a six hour drive depending on traffic.

Once again I waited until the final deadline! Got mine ordered today.

I'm a bunny! Click here to watch

A quick google search found this place - http://www.cannon-mania.com/molds.htm - with your size for $64. I'm sure there are more vendors available too.

A great time for all, thanks to Bilgemonkey, Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew, Celtic Mayhem, Chrispy, and all the others for providing the music and entertainment all weekend!

I used some old Tyvek for a ground cloth with my backpacking tent. It's the stuff they use to insulate and weatherproof new homes. It goes between the plywood sheeting and what ever siding they cover it with. If you've never seen it at a construction site it's the same "plastic type" paper material they make those Priority Mail envelopes out of. It's waterproof, lightweight, packs really small, and nearly rip proof. Sometimes you can find cut-offs in the trash around new construction, or you might be able to offer someone on the site $5 or so for a big piece. One side is printed with the logos but you can use it white side up under your canvas and it blends in pretty good. edit - (...and some people sell it by the foot on eBay too!)

That's pretty close to home, I'll probably be there for a day or two.

I signed up for a new online toy and started messing around with the "Picknik" feature on Flickr. I edited this photo just now -

I'm planning on this right now, depending on if family plans to visit us that weekend or not. Is there a deadline for registering for the weekend camping and ball?

A little more of the Mercury was seen on board the Santa Maria -