History Lesson #4: Tall Ship Windy Pirates and 6 Pirate Events

"Arrgh!"  Kids seem fascinated with pirates.  Perhaps sparked by a movie like Treasure Island, Hook, Peter Pan or Pirates of the Caribbean.  With our Hollywood costumer sister-in-law knowing Johnny Depp of Pirates of the Caribbean, there is even more intrigue.  Seems odds to talk more about people who commit crimes, but it is a part of global and American history.

Our kids learned more about pirates in a fun manner by taking the Tall Ship Windy "Skyline Sail with Tales of Real Pirates" cruise on the lake.  Tall Ship Windy conveniently docks at Navy Pier which has lots of restaurants and attractions.  You might connect pirates to ocean-lined states, but the Midwest had pirates too.  Pirate Dan Seavey used fake port lights along the lake shore so ships would crash on the rocks and he could steal their goods.  Dan Seavey was charged with piracy, crime by ship, on the Great Lakes.  River piracy concentrated along the Ohio River and Mississippi Valley.

The Tall Ship ride included pirate costumed employees leading a treasure hunt while the parents relaxed.  We admired the Tall Ship and enjoyed the Chicago skyline view.  The Tall Ship measures 148 feet and categorized as a traditional four-masted gaff topsail schooner.  This schooner takes claim as the first certified four-masted traditional sailing vessel built in the U.S.A. since 1921.  The book 100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life lists Chicago as a must see site "With 50 acres of parks, promenades, and gardens jutting into Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is always thronged with Chicagoans.  Its websites details the area's many attractions, from amusement park rides to shoreline cruises.  Kids can help raise and trim the 11 sails of the tall ship Windy, and take a turn at the ship's wheel."

The 75 minute ride costs $30 for adults and $10 for children.  Plus consider Chicago parking fees.

If you want to spark kids imagination about pirates, but not visiting Chicago, consider the following six events:

1.  Pirate Fest Las Vegas; Las Vegas, Nevada (April), Craig Ranch Park
Treasure map for kids, jugglers, musicians, and a puppet show, $15 adult, $10 children age 5 to 11 years old

2.  Central Missouri Pirate Fest; Kansas City, MO
Foam sword battles and fire dancers, $7 admission, free for children age 5 and under

3. Blackbeard Pirate Festival; Hampton, VA (June)
Arts and crafts, music, fireworks, Little Scallywags Lagoon for young children including carousel ride and digging for treasure

4.  Pirate Party on the Beach; Virginia Beach, VA (May)
Pirate re-enactors, bandana-making, face-painting, and weapons demonstrations

5.  Vero Beach Pirate Fest; Vero Beach, FL (Sept.)
living history pirate encampment, authors, historians, kid's treasure hunt, cannon demo

6.  Michigan Pirate Festival; Grand Haven, MI; Loutit District Library
bellydance class for age 4-12, storytelling, mini golf, puppet show, and costume contest

If you want to ride a schooner, but not the Tall Ship Windy, consider Tall Ship Witch.  Read about our trip on Tall Ship Red Witch within article "Sports: Yacht Competition and Six Schooner Rides".