Blacksmith Jim Rich
Jim Rich is a professional blacksmith, tall ship sailor and 18th century musician. His smithing uses traditional tools and techniques. He provided the tools in the blacksmith shop scene from "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" and forged the knives carried by the pirates, including Jack Sparrow, for all three films.
Jim has sailed for years as professional crew on the brig Lady Washington and the privateer schooner Lynx. He sings and plays 18th century woodwinds with several Northwest early music ensembles including the Jefferson Baroque Orchestra of which he is founder and artistic director. He also performs sea-songs & chanteys of the 17th & 18th centuries.
Brotherhood of Oceanic Mercenaries (B.O.O.M)
Prepare to be boarded by the notorious Privateers of the "Emerald Rose". These freedom loving outcasts are sure to liven up any event as they relive "The Golden Age of Piracy" with black powder cannon demonstrations, and a music variety show featuring authentic sea shanties, swordplay, Irish dancing and historical re-enactments. www.boompirates.com/
The King's Navy
he King's Navy is a local group of dedicated Re-enactors striving to portray, as accurately as possible, the Sailors and Marines of the Royal Navy. Members of "The Kings Navy" have been participating in re-enacting for over twenty years and have appeared at events throughout the Pacific NW, Canada, California, and at historic events for the National Park Service and at Colonial Willamsburg. Through hands-on demonstration the daily life of 18th century sailors and Marines is brought to life.
Pirates of Puget Sound
The Pirates of Puget Sound be sailin' down to join their brethren at the Portland Pirate Festival. A division of the Seattle Knights, the Pirates of Puget Sound have appeared in shows and festivals from coast to coast. Featuring the infamous "Jack Pack," these pirates come armed to the eye patch with weapons as sharp as their wits, battling one another at the drop of a parrot with rapiers, cutlasses, belaying pins and bad puns. Between bouts of combat and comedy, the Jack Pack stand ready to entertain the whole family with a host of games. Sharp-eyed wee ones can play Bounty Hunter or take up Treasure Seeking and try their hand at sinkin' ships, loadin' cannon or battin' rats. www.piratesofpugetsound.com
Captain Knotty
Bill Pierce aka Captain Knotty has been employed by Puget Sound naval Shipyard for the past 16 years. It was here he acquired his expertise in marine knot tying. After several years of creating “knot boards” for fellow workers, Bill decided to begin demonstrating his knots to the public. His first venture was the Murder Mystery Weekend (Sept.) in Port Orchard. Since then he has been asked to the Renaissance Faire in Gig Harbor, Chris Craft Boating Rendezvous, Murder Mystery 2 & 3, Tacoma’s Sea Scouts, and Tacoma’s Tall Ship Festival. Captain Knotty was created when Bill joined a local pirate group called South Sound Rogues & Wenches. He has been teaching & displaying his beloved hobby ever since.
Earthraven Handcrafts
Earthraven Handcrafts is dedicated to the fine art of handcrafting. I hand knit or crochet wearable art like hats, bags, crystal pouches, and purses from handspun yarns like wool, hemp. Alpaca, camel, and llama. I then aromatherapy the yarn with intoxicating scents of lavender, sandalwood, jasmine and patchouli. Woven into the fibers are symbolic stones like turquoise for protection, garnet for love, and malachite for health, to name a few. I bring my Bavarian-style spinning wheel to most events to share this old world craft and to educate people about spinning and fiber arts. I also specialize in artisan crafted sterling silver and gold jewelry made with semi-precious stones. My Renaissance-style Lariat necklaces have become quite popular since this long, single pieced necklace can either be wrapped around the neck in front or in back to showcase a backless dress. In addition, I also create macramé hemp and beaded necklaces, bracelets and anklets; themed wine charm sets; beaded suncatchers; and leather necklaces with shell pendants.
Don Gavitte, Pirate Historian
Don involves pirates, buccaneers and maritime predation in just about every class he teaches at Grant High School in Portland. Don was also recently awarded an MA in History from Portland State University for his thesis, "Agents of Globalization in the Marchland: Pirates & Buccaneers in the Caribbean, 1567-1714." A two year stint teaching and researching local pirate lore in the Virgin Islands was Don's last known port of call before moving to the Rose City in 1999.