According to Captain Whitebeard, (Walt Schumann), this year’s Ghost Walk, put on by the Santa Rosa Historical Society (SRHS), will have the most spectacular performance by the Blackwater Pyrates to date. The Ghost Walk tour will start at the Imogene Theater and end at the Milton Depot, where the Pyrates will be performing. With a script, director, lighting crew, and about 40 Pyrates in the cast, Schumann said, “We do a theatrical production now.”
According to Schumann, the Blackwater Pyrates have 181 registered members and Ghost Walk is the group’s signature event. However, he said, “It’s not a money maker. It’s all in support of [the SRHS] fundraiser.”
The Pyrates have been busy through the summer wrapping up their annual river cleanup starting at the Bryant Bridge to the Deaton Bridge. Schumann said 23 people participated hauling in 300 plus pounds of trash from one of Santa Rosa County’s key natural resources. He also wanted to thank Blackwater Canoe Rentals for being a part of this work.
The Pyrates, as their name may imply, are not just a workaholic organization. On September 27, they held the WWSRE, the World’s Worst Sailboat Race Ever on the Blackwater Bay where the Blackwater meets the Yellow River. Schumann said 8 boats were in the competition this year for a trophy and yearlong bragging rights. The contest was open to everyone, Schumann said, with no rules. This year’s trophy went to Rumfront, (Doug Lassater), and Swamp Yankee, (Paul Kilmartin), sailing the “Gallway Hooker.” The trophy is currently on display at Kilmartin’s restaurant, Blackwater Bistro.
Schumann said, “The Pyrates are about having fun. The pirate part is the glue that holds us together. The community support brings people in.” The Pyrates, founded by Captain Bones, (Tom Scott), originally formed from several waterfront owners who got together to remove wrecks after Hurricane Ivan and socialize, according to Schumann. So far, he said, the Pyrates have raised 16 vessels and are working on another.
All of the work the Blackwater Pyrates do is funded by one event, the Great Mill Town Duck Race. Every Fourth of July holiday 4,000 rubber ducks, adopted from January through July, fall from the Highway 90 Bridge and “race” down a track near the train trestle. Three winners receive $1,600, $500, and $100. This year, first place winner Emerald Coast Coins donated its winnings to the August 9 Back to School Bash. Schumann said, “What we do recycles back into the county.”
While the funds from the duck race help with events, the Pyrates also donate directly to education. This year, they gave $2,500, split between two University of West Florida graduate students in archeology interested in sunken ships along the Blackwater.
The Pyrates’ mission is to promote river safety, cleanup of the river, and historic preservation of the river, according to Schumann. “If you see a Blackwater flag on a vessel, they’re for members only. They render assistance and provide help on the water,” Schumann said. With the upcoming lighted boat parade in December and support of the Bagdad Millsite Park, which Schumann said he anticipates opening in May of next year, expect to hear more on how these scurvy dogs support Santa Rosa County.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pyrates give back in many ways