All lot of folks don't realize what an old and Piratey state Louisiana is. Lake Charles was founded by pirates who hid their ships and loot far up the hidden estuary. The old Spanish trail went straight through Louisiana and there are many old stories of ambushes, smuggling and illicit trading. Indeed the town and Fort at Natchitoches (pronounced "Nakadesh" by locals) dates to the last decades of the 1600's.
And then of course there is New Orleans with it's very colorful and turbulent history. A great historical city that was a den for many pirates over time including the famous Jean Lafitte. Giant antebellum mansions, plantations, ghosts, excellent cuisine and music are all trademarks of this wonderful old town. This weekend marks the beginning of the New Orleans Louisiana (NOLA) Pyrate Week.
This festival has all that you would expect from a piratey event with vendors, artists and activities, but the thing that really struck me is their theme and the volunteer work going on in conjunction with the event. Their motto is a clever, warm and heartfelt twist from the more well known Pirates of the Caribbean mantra. Instead theirs is: "Take what ye can, give SOMETHING back." Here's a synopsis.
"From the last weekend of March through the first weekend of April every year, the citizens of New Orleans celebrate NOLA Pyrate Week – 10 days of swashbuckling, art, music, food, events and general camaraderie among the Pyrates of New Orleans – past & present – and their mates from around the globe!
We’ve taken all the fun and also made it meaningful – throughout the 10 days Pyrates give back to the city they love…volunteering with rebuilding projects like lowernine.org and raising funds for many others. In 2009 we helped raise $10,000 for various charities in the city, including $8,000 to the family of NOPD Det. Tommie Felix.
NOLA Pyrate Week was originally conceived and developed in the heart of New Orleans by a small group of like minded “Pyrates of The New World” – now joined by many other Pyrates, Artists, Musicians, Community/Charitable Organizations, Krewes, Local Businesses and other citizens who support our creed: “Take what ye can…GIVE something back!”™"
If you can manage to get out and see this great old town - do it. I speak from experience when I say, it's worth the trip. For more take a look at their site: http://nolapyrateweek.com/about-nola-pyrate-week
MK
