And All That's Good Has Come to An End

Just as it begins, Contraband Days has come to another end today. As always, it was a relax and easy day. We loaded the Bon Temps to make a final parade. As we approached the seawall, we unloaded to board a boat. In true tradition, Jean Lafitte boarded a boat with a few pirates, his queen, and his wife to leave the shore of Charlie's Lake.

We'll pack up our costume and loot. We'll hang up the hats, guns and swords to await another year. We'll return on the occasion to a Swashbucklers game or for the occasional raid. But we'll be back. We'll be back next year ready to take over the fair city of Lake Charles once again.

Kids Pirate Costume Contest

Of course it was a very hot day! Why? We were hosting our annual Kids Pirate Costume Contest this past Sunday. And it was a huge success despite the errors made by a few publications.

We had 20 kids enter this year's contest. Fourteen of those kids were entered in our public division. Russ did an amazing job interviewing the kids. He really had a way to get their personality to show. Well... a few of them anyway. The costumes were fun and very piratey! My "Vanna's", Troy Kiser and Thomas Mefford, gave a stunning performance during our "commercial breaks". In the end, we gave away lots of money, loot bags filled with local merchant coupons and pirate toys, and an hour of laughter and good cheer. We even took the winning kids on one of our many parades along the seawall. The kids who participated absolutely loved it. One little girl didn't want it to end, because she had more things to throw.

Our contest just keeps getting better year after year. And there are so many people to thank for the success. My sponsors are so amazing! Thank you to Olmsted Shipyard, LB Computers, Leo Reddoch, Strandz, Gayle's Hardware, Kenny Nichols, Llyod Lauw Collision, Richard Cole, Dupont Sewer, United Insurance Specialists, and Moss Bluff Flower and Gift for their generous monetary donations. Also thanks to Gatti's, McDoanld's, Dr. Kestel, Skate City, Petro Bowl, and Sports Center USA for the coupons and things for our loot bags.

Of course, I can not thank my fellow Ladies of Lafitte enough who are always by my side helping with every little detail. A million thanks to Jeanice Olmsted, Janice Lopez, Jackie Bastow, Rhonda Reed, and the ever resilient Heather Lawson. I also need to thank my wonderful judges for giving of their time. Thank you Jimmy Bastow, Christi Lee (our queen), and Eileen Grantham (our Madame Lafitte).

Be sure to take a look at the photos from the contest. You'll find them in our photo album.

Moss Bluff Elementary Raid

A handful of very brave pirates showed up to Moss Bluff Elemenatry on April 18th for the school's annual Louisiana Day program. Despite the pouring down rain, having to move the Bon Temps float, and seeing roughly 900 kids in the span of a few hours, these pirates were the hit of the day. Several pirates were spotted dancing during a break. Russ was very politely asked by the sweetest fourth grader if he cared to dance. In the end, every kid walked away with a little loot and a little bit of southern hospitality from a great group of pirates.

Be sure to check out the pictures in our photo album.

Welcome Aboard, Captain

On one fair early morn, Jean Lafitte came ashore at a point where moss covers the trees and bush is abundant to cover his tracks as he looks for the Lake of Charles and his long lost contraband. He and his pirates WILL capture the honorable Mayor Randy Roach, entice him by sword ( if necessary) to walk the plank then vanish into the water of Lake Charles never to be seen again.

Jean Lafitte and his Buccaneer Pirates will rule by land and sea for the next two weeks. He therefore is putting his seaman Pirates on notice !!

CAPTURE, WE MUST-- THE CITY OF LAKE CHARLES AT 7:00PM OF THE CLOCK ON FRIDAY MAY 3, 2008. BE PREPARED WITH GUNS LOADED AS THERE IS RUMOR THAT THE CITY MILITIA WILL HAVE CANNONS READY.