2017 Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, June 2-3, in Fort Walton Beach

In Destin, we love any reason to celebrate and this weekend we’ll be donning our best pirate attire, drinking pirate grog and telling pirate jokes for the 2017 Billy Bowlegs Festival, June 2-5, in Fort Walton Beach. 

The dastardly Billy Bowlegs has been spotted and he’ll be docking his ship at the Fort Walton Beach Landing.  Here’s ye schedule:

Friday, June 2nd – Pirate Festival
The Festival grounds at the Landing will open at 3pm on Friday. A Defense of the City” demonstration by Reed’s Raiders will commence at 6pm. Capt. Billy and his Krewe will dock at the Landing around 7pm for his reconnaissance mission and a skirmish with the Mayor and Reed’s Raiders. At 9pm, the festivities will culminate with the biggest fireworks display of the season sponsored by Century Link. 

Pirate Grog: From 5pm to 9pm you can visit the "Pirate's Lair" sponsored by Props Brewery where a $25 wristband gets you into a private tent with free flowing "Props" brews and special edition "Pirates Punch" from Timber Creek Distilleries. 

Parking: Want to avoid the hassle of parking downtown? Take advantage of the free shuttle service sponsored by EC Rider and Uptown Station. Pickup and drop off locations at Saint Mary's Catholic Church behind FWB City Hall and at Uptown Station from 5pm to 9pm on Friday night and from 12pm to 5pm on Saturday.


Saturday, June 3rd – Pirate Festival
On Saturday, June 3, the Festival grounds will open at 11 am. The day will be filled with pirate revelry and music, followed by the Pirates’ Landing between 3pm and 4pm. Throughout the Festival, there will be entertainment on the main stage featuring local favorite Captain Davy and others. 

For the kids, there will also be a large kids’ Pirate Play Zone sponsored by PMI. Kids’ bracelets, allowing unlimited access to all the children’s attractions, will be $15 per day for Friday and Saturday. Attractions will include the rock wall, Euro-Bungee, and (7) interactive inflatables – 18’ slide, bounce & slide combo, mini obstacle course, bounce house, quarterback challenge, and more. 

For adults, the Billy Bowlegs Beer Tour from 12-4pm allows festival patrons the opportunity to sample a multitude of Craft and Specialty beers featuring samplings from Props Brewery as well as selected spirits from Timber Creek Distillery. Enjoy your exclusive access to the "Pirates Lair", while you sample the wares. $30 at the entrance.

For the active, at 9pm, the 43rd Annual Billy Bowlegs 5K and at 6pm, the Bowlegs Kids Run will be filled with pirates who want to race (or walk) to the finish line. Visit (www.nwftc.com) for registration details.


Monday, June 5th – Torchlight Parade

And what better way to finish the Bowlegs festivities than the biggest parade on the Emerald Coast! The Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade, sponsored by Wind Creek Atmore, will be held on Monday at 7pm. The parade floats will wind their way from First Street up Eglin Parkway. Floats with pirates and visiting Mardi Gras krewe cohorts will bring revelry and fun to pirates and landlubers of all ages.

To get you in the pirate spirit….

Q: What did the ocean say to the pirate?
A: Nothing, it just waved.

            Q: Why does it take pirates so long to learn the alphabet?
            A: Because they can spend years at C.

                  Q: How much did the pirate pay for his peg and hook?
                  A: An arm and a leg.

                        Q: How do ye make a pirate irate?
                        A: Take away his ‘p’

Arrrrr you in the spirit matey? Join us for a swashbuckling good time. Still need to book your Destin vacation rental? View our Destin rentals online including Destin Condos at Jade East as well as comfortable, colorful rooms at Beachside Inn. Or call one of our friendly, vacation vixens at 1-800-225-7652.

See you @ the beach, Matey!

Published by Tracy Louthain
Thursday, June 1, 2017