Pirate Day 2025

Downtown Milford Business Association Pirate Day 2025

Pahl and Danielle posing at the Milford Green

The second Sunday of June every year is Downtown Milford Business Association's Annual Pirate Day. It's a clever way to get hundreds of people and their families to visit downtown Milford at once for a fun and educational event. And did I mention it was FREE to attend?! There's also free parking! 

We went last year for the first time, so this year we had a much better plan of where to park, where the historical society was, as well as in relation to the Milford green. I drove us this time, and I lucked out getting parking at Lisman's Landing, which is where the pirates come in with the Mayor at around 1:00 pm. The actual event starts at 9:00 am. I have never made it there before noon. Maybe next year.

The pirates announced their incoming arrival as they fired off unloaded canons and pistols while sailing into the harbor. The pirates give the Mayor the keys to the city back, while he thanks them and declares an annual celebration of pirates in gratitude. This year a fife and drum group also performed afterwards, while other pirates handed out candy and coins to children.  

After the official ceremonies, we made our way to the Milford Historical Society. There were Free Men of the Sea with a booth in front of the Eells-Stow house showing instruments, weapons, and spices that would have been used during their actual historical time period. We also were able to get a free tour of the Eells-Stow House, which is believed to be the oldest house in Milford, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Last year we didn't get to see it because we missed the last tour of the day). 

After we got a tour of the house, we headed to the Milford Green to check out the vendors for shopping and a late lunch. We got rice and marinated pork with plantains from one vendor and a giant cup of lemonade from another. We sat on the ground on the green eating until a lone yellow jacket discovered me, and I was no longer hungry. On our way back to the car, we discovered that there was an upper green where a steel drum band was performing as well. The band seemed to be made of community members of all ages. It was neat to see so many people come together at this event. We still haven't done the scavenger hunt at area businesses. Maybe next year!

Danielle's outfit 2024 vs 2025

Now I've been working on my pirate outfit. The last couple of years, I was more of a pirate wench with a long skirt with a bustle, fishnets, and a handkerchief tied around my head. Last year I wore a real corset for the first time as well. How was I going to update my look this year?

Pahl said I really needed to get a tricorn hat to look more like a pirate. I spent a lot of time thinking about the tricorn hat I would need to acquire. Now this isn't just any old costume tricorn hat. This is actually a custom made wool hat, with grey gross grain ribbon, black cotton lace, a silver rose, and a large black peacock feather. I designed it to match an ouji coordinate that I haven't worn yet, but also to be neutral enough in color to be worn with a variety of other outfits.  I daresay it is more of a Rococo style tricorn, rather than a pirate or a patriot. 

Danielle full coordinate

For my full look, I donned the Alice Girl Hunter set which includes an all in one corset and mini skirt with shoulder straps, a matching hooded bolero, and short frilly bloomers. I wore this set once before, while giving a presentation on Cautionary Tales in Oral Tradition.  I am also wearing a short pannier, which is basically a short wide petticoat to flare out the skirt a bit more. To look more like an official crew member, I added arm bracers from Miss Point, off-brand under the knee black socks, and my trusty coven boots from Strangcvlt. Neutral eye makeup and a bold red lip complete the look. 

Pahl in his action pose

Pahl's pirate outfit was updated as well this year. He has had his heart set on all things Rococo, so the waist coat is actually from a Rococo set that he purchased earlier in the year. (Does it look familiar? He also wore it at the Tudor dinner!) Another thing Pahl did differently was to grow out his beard for two weeks. He really wanted to make sure he looked scruffy to really lean into the pirate lifestyle. His tricorn hat is bigger, yet lighter in weight than mine. It has a big red peacock feather and he put a pin of a skull and cross bones on it. In one way it is slightly more versatile than mine depending on what he pins to it. But mine won't blow off my head in a brisk sea breeze, so it really depends on the level of function over fashion you are committed to.   

Pahl's updated look is quite superb. He's got all the elements he had last year like the pistol, skullcap, waist sash, lightweight linen shirt and trousers, and leather boots, but also he has an over the shoulder belt that is holding a dull full size sword as well as a dagger. He is truly  outfitted for any serious pirate action!

Pahl's pirate outfit, front view

Danielle on the dock; pirate flag waving behind her

Who rightly knows what I'll wear next year, but it was certainly fun to wear this outfit again with the updated accessories!  Maybe I'll get extra bold and even choose a color scheme that isn't red and black.  But I'll likely still wear my tricorn hat!