The Fort Taylor Pyrate Fest takes place the first weekend of December. The event is an historical reenactment of the age of the Buccaneers, 1650-1675 and the Golden Age of Pyracy, 1675-1725. Fort Taylor, a Civil War-era fortress, is transformed into an British fortress armed with cannon to prevent easy passage of sailing vessels at war with Britain around the southernmost island of the Florida Keys. It retains the name of Fort Taylor, so named for a British privateer, John Taylor, who later "retired" as a "gentleman" in the service of the Panamanian Coastal Guard in the mid 1600s.

The fortress is manned by a small company of British Royal Marines. During the reenactment, the fortress flies the King's Colours. The mission of the Royal Marines is to prevent pyrates from sailing thru the harbor and from landing upon the island to seek provisions. As one might expect, the pyrates ignore the presence of the King's Royal Marines and proceed to land upon the island, establish a careening camp and be so bold as to attack Fort Taylor! What group is behind this skullduggery? None other than the most feared pyrate crewe of the Florida Keys, the Bone Island Buccaneers. Get a taste of buccaneer life, Bone Island style, here. And, to learn more about the other scurvy dogs that plunder here every December, click here for Pirates in Paradise.

Inside Fort Taylor visitors will see a "Thieves Market" displaying merchandise from the era along food and drink, pyratical encampments demonstrating pyratical life aboard ship and on land, and, an authentic pyrate's pub. Visitors are also treated to cannon demonstrations and can try their hands at various pyratical games of the era. Kids can mount their own Treasure Hunt. Pyrate minstrels singing sea shanties abound. And, all pay close attention to the historically accurate tryal of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two of the most notorious female pyrates to ever sail the Spanish Main. Outside of the fortress, pyrates and buccaneers have set up encampments near the beach area of the park. These Living History encampments depict just what it would be like for sailors who lost their ship and had to survive on an island for any length of time until they might be rescued by a passiing vessel. Visitors to the Living History encampments will see demonstrations of navigation, knots, period cooking and much more.

Follow these links for video clips from the 2007 event: Video #1; Video #2.

All images are copyright Callahan Digital Art, 2006-2007 and may not be used without permission .

Tentative Schedule will be posted as it is developed. You can also visit the Fort Taylor Pyrate Fest MySpace Page for additional information.

Important Registration Information

The 2009 event dates are December 1-6. All participants are required to register for the event. Vending will be by invitation only. The registration deadline for participants is November 1, 2009. Event staff will mail participants and merchants the necessary passes for access into the state park as well as specific reenactor schedules.

Download the reenactor registration form here. Coming soon!

Driving Directions: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is located at the end of Southard Street thru the Truman Annex in Key West.