CEDAR KEY, FL (970 WFLA) -- The Tampa Bay area is very familiar with pirates throwing parties, thanks to Gasparilla. But we're not the only place in Florida that celebrates cut-throats.
Up the (Gulf) coast, the small town of Cedar Key holds a Pirate Invasion and Festival every September. Joe Catalano runs the event. He's a pirate re-enactor, who used to do the same thing in Maine. He says pirate re-enactors from Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas set up an encampment on the beach and try to do things the way small-b buccaneers of yore did in the 18th century, right down to the music.
There are also vendors, trinkets and events for the children during daytime. At night, bars offer adult beverages and music.
The highlight of the event is a "pirate battle" over a treasure supposedly left by Jean Lafitte, who unlike our own Jose Gaspar, can actually be proven to have existed.
The Cedar Key Pirate Invasion benefits several nonprofits, including Cedar Key's single K-12 school and several youth sports teams. It runs September 15th through 17th.
Here's a link to their website for more information.
Photo courtesy Cedar Key Pirate Invasion, Joe Catalano. Used with permission.