Thursday night was family night at Contraband Days. Children were out enjoying rides and the usual carnival fun. We began walking along the seawall to greet friends and other pirates ready for the annual boat parade. As we were walking, I stepped back to watch the children stare wide eyed at the pirate by my side. Dressed in his usual pirate garb, he smiled and handed beads and play rings to the littlest of the admirers. Children walking by would stop to have their chance to pull a ring off the ribbon studded with colors of purple, blue, and green.
We finally made it to the carnival area. We walked among the lines of parents and children waiting to get on and off the scattered rides. We always stopped to give a ring or two, maybe even a strand of pearls. As I watched children gather around, I was taken by the joy these children felt to be among the pirates, taking the treasure he gave, standing for a picture,and smiling the whole time. Not even realizing that this man will be back in his business casual the very next day.
And when the pirate didn't think his heart could get any fuller, a boy runs to him with arms opened wide. The pirate looked down to find the litle boy had wrapped his arms around the pirate's legs in a huge hug. Now I know why we dress like a pirate, buy hundreds of pearls and plasic rings, and walk the grounds of the festival. It's the little fans who are stretching their neck to see the pirate walk by. We are the representatives of our fine city and we have fans.
