Event Information
Location and Entry
There are an abundance of things to see and do at the Fort Taylor Pyrate Invasion! From 17th Century Buccaneers to 19th Century Wreckers, there will be plenty of pirates on hand to answer your questions. Learn about life at sea, view and interact with their various historical displays, experience land/sea pirate battles and shop along merchants row. Whether it's learning how to be a pirate, digging for buried treasure or hunting down your favorite pirates, there's plenty of activities for the whole family.
The Invasion takes place at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. To get to the park, take US Highway 1 south to Whitehead Street. Turn Right at Whitehead Street. Turn left at Southard Street and go through the Truman Annex until Southard Street ends at a large open area. Turn Left and follow the signs to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.
To view a larger, interactive version of the map at left, click the map image or this link.
Event Admission
Photo: Nicole Andreyko Chapman
The Fort Taylor Invasion Pass is free with your State Park admission. Donations to "The Friends of Fort Taylor" are greatly appreciated.
Lodging
If you are in need of a place to stay for the event, Travelodge Suites and Courtyard Key West Waterfront are each offering discount rates on rooms. To make reservations please contact the hotel directly and tell them you are with the "Pirate Invasion." To reserve a room with Travelodge you can call them at (305) 296-7593. To reserve a room with Courtyard, you can reach them at (305) 296-6595.
Event Details
There will be several events going on throughout the day during the Fort Taylor Pyrate Invasion, including living history, presentations on sailing, swords and flintlock guns, navigation, the life of the pirates, medicine and wreckers. You will also find shops filled with pirate goodies, minstrels, and exciting black powder cannon and small arms and ship battles as well as tours of Fort Zachary Taylor. To open a new page containing a printable list of the schedule of events for this year in PDF format, click here.
Land/Sea Pirate Battles
Friday, November 30th - Sunday, December 2nd, 2pm
Photo: Poppa Ratsey Callehan
Enjoy three days of pirate battles as Captain Crudbeard, along with the Pirates of the Dark Rose and members of the Fort Taylor Redcoats defend our beloved Fort Zachary Taylor against the invading pirates!
The battle will take place each day on the field in front of the fort wall. Watch from the fort wall as the struggle plays out before you! Several schooners and tall ships joining the fray from the Atlantic Ocean at the edge of the battle field!
Photo:
Constable Heartless
You can also see the battle from a front row seat at sea aboard one of the participating ships. To book passage aboard a vessel, contact them via their websites:
Which side will be victoriously flying their flag high over the Fort at the end of each battle? Will the British or the pirates win the day on Sunday during the final and most explosive pirate battle on the East Coast? Come to Fort Zachary Taylor and find out!
Kid's Day
Sunday, December 2nd, 10am - 5pm
Photo: Silas thatcherJoin us Sunday for a fun filled day for the all the little swashbucklers! Among a variety of child-friendly activities, The Fort Taylor Pyrate Invasion Kid’s Day will feature an interactive show performed by the crew of Presenting the Past.
The Bawdy Buccaneers will also be hosting a Pirate Children’s Show, providing children opportunities to join in on the fun and antics as well as be given a chance to turn pirate aboard the Picaroon Princess.
In addition there will be many other kid-friendly activities including costume contests, Crudbeard’s Cannon School, Cutlass Lessons for Little Swashbucklers, Life as a Pirate Interactive Kids Show, pirate & treasure hunts, Scallywag School with the Colonial Seaport Foundation and Scarlett’s Encampment Tour.
For even more information on the the fun taking place this weekend, check out the Entertainment page!
 Photo: DB Couper |
 Photo: DB Couper |
 Photo: Papa Ratsey |
