DMBA Annual Pirate Festival

Annual Pirate Festival in Milford, CT

Pirates you don't want to mess with walking down Main Street in Milford.

Believe it or not, every year, the Downtown Milford Business Association in Milford, CT hosts an annual free pirate day event during the first Sunday in June. This happened to be the 22nd Annual event and it was my first time attending. The event invites folks to dress like a pirate, rock out with Rockin' Ron the friendly pirate, and watch Captain Kidd and his mutinous crew invade Milford Harbor around noon. Then the event transitions to a scavenger hunt on the Milford Green and surrounding businesses, along with food trucks, vendors, and live music. There's no entrance fee and the event is very family friendly. The festivities are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, (which I imagine is perfect if you have young ones that need something to do before a nap). For us...not so much. We had a long day in Hartford the day prior attending a production of Beetlejuice the musical, and honestly could not get there until around 1:00 pm after putting on our costumes and finding parking. Parking around downtown Milford and side streets and neighborhoods is free, but it is CHALLENGING to find a spot. We parked somewhere between Lisman's Landing and Downtown proper, and I'm not sure exactly where we were parked, except that we were rather close to the Milford Historical Society. 

At the Milford Historical Society, New London's Free Men of the Sea were offering a presentation on actual tools and pirate lore as well as donning historical dress. Apparently Captain Kidd really did visit Milford, CT on his final voyage as a stop on his way to Boston in 1699 (before his subsequent arrest, imprisonment, and being returned to England for trial and execution).

​It is known that Captain Kidd buried treasure off of Gardiner's Island just off of Long Island, but locals believe he also hid a portion on Charles Island, a 14 acre island connected to Silver Sands State Park by a rocky outcrop that is only accessible during low tide and winter months for those who want to explore it, as it currently remains a state protected bird sanctuary. You can read more about the island itself, why it's called the "Thrice Cursed Island" and actual local accounts of their experiences on the island at Damned, Connecticut. 

Danielle's outfit-only having worn the corset for about 45 minutes

Now, if you recall, we dressed up like Pirates last summer for a pirate event in New London. For this event, I basically did a variation of my pirate costume from last year with a couple of new layering pieces. I kept the bandana as my headpiece with bold dramatic makeup. I'm wearing the crow skull necklace again,  but a different layering necklace I got a million years ago when I worked at The Limited. I'm wearing six stone bracelets on each wrist. And of course I can tell you which stone each one is along with their metaphysical properties, in case you were wondering.  The blouse and skirt is the same, but this time I am wearing a waist belt that has two large pockets that hang down over my skirt and a real corset!

I thought I had corsets in my 20's that I bought at Hot Topic that had button closures, but this one is the real deal. It has metal clasps in the front and is boned all around. The covering is a satin/silk and it is decorated with ornate black lace and black beading on the top and bottom. The lace up ties in the back lace up in the middle of it and any extra gets tucked into the top or bottom of the corset (whichever is easier). I gotta say, the first 45 minutes or so wearing it, especially while sitting, was pretty difficult. I felt a shortness of breath, even though I hadn't  pulled it as tight as it could go. (It's technically a bit big for me, but I considered that a sort of insurance as women's bodies tend to get bigger over time). But thankfully, after walking around in it for a few hours, it conformed to my body, and I had no problem sitting up very straight and comfortably sitting cross-legged on the ground eating tacos by 3:00 pm. 

I also wore my snake fishnets instead of regular fishnets. Honestly...I couldn't find my regular ones..and now that I think about it, I believe I tossed them because they were old and ripped...badly last time I wore them. The boots are the same choice as well. I feel like these are the perfect edgy pirate boots for the heat of the summer. 

Pahl's Pirate costume, now with more props

Now the only thing that's the same about Pahl's outfit from last year, may just be his bandana, his pants, and his boots. He's wearing a different linen/cotton blend long sleeve shirt, with a definitely more pirate like tail coat that is a deep red velvet with black lace details and silver buttons. He's getting good use out of his baldric with a very nice metal cutlass and a pretty convincing revolver hanging from his waist belt. You can't see it in this picture, but he's wearing a silver octopus belt buckle. Another addition this year is a cheap tricorn pirate's hat that he added some feathers and a few other things to make it more snappy looking. Oh and of course, he doesn't have long hair either anymore. 

3.5 hours in this corset with a fake revolver in my hand

By the time this photo was taken, I had worn the corset for over 3 hours and even eaten a full meal in it. Pahl says that I need more props to look more like a pirate. He let me borrow his revolver so I could look like some of those fierce female pirates depicted in the tv program "Our Flag Means Death". 

A man of action!

Couple's photo in front of the Taco Truck

I enjoyed myself at the festival and was very happy to have managed to break in my corset during the event. It has given me the confidence to invite other corset like garments into my life.  Pahl had a blast handing out coins to young children and being asked to take photos with random people and families at the event. My pirate costume wasn't as good and it's alright. I haven't put as much thought or money into my costume, but maybe next year I'll add a tricorn hat to help keep the sun off my face.