Saturday’s overcast weather no doubt hurt the turnout for the 13th annual Pirate Parade on Lake Sinclair, but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of the 20-odd crews who did show up.
Last year’s parade probably had twice as many participants. Still, the ratio of decorated boats to participants actually seemed a little higher this time around, and the crews were a little larger, too, which is encouraging for the event’s future. This year’s start was near Little River Marina, where Hwy. 441 crosses the lake.
Heeding concerns heard last year after “sailing” the pirate fleet all the way from Sinclair Dam to Crooked Creek Marina, this time around, Pirate Parade Captain Emmett “Jerry” Arnold set a slightly more sedate pace after a 2 p.m. start to help the more elaborately decorated boats reach their destination intact.
Arnold said this year’s parade marked his fifth time at the event's helm after taking over from founders Cindy Svec and John Locke, who moved to Florida.
“When they left the lake area, they wanted to know if I would carry on the pirate tradition, so I said sure,” Arnold recalled. “It was probably just really getting going by that time, too. But they had a different way of doing things.
“When we took over, we started giving out prizes to get a little more participation, and it has just caught on and grown that much more. And we always have a good time doing it,” he added. “But our lake area merchants in Milledgeville and Eatonton have been great. And they deserve a lot of credit and thanks. They donate all the prizes that we, in turn, give away for best costumes and best boats each year.”
And in true pirate fashion, winners can plunder the winning booty regardless of where they may “place” on the podium. Arnold said he lets everyone choose what they’d like from the prizes available, ranging from coolers and barbecue tools to sit-down restaurant vouchers to free foursomes of golf – including cart rentals – at a local course.
“I think we gave away about 80 prizes this year,” Arnold said. “Worth probably $1,500 or more, I’d guess. I have no idea, though; that could be much more.”
While most pirates and their crews are full—or at least part-time—Lake Sinclair residents, neighboring states Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama, no doubt among others, contributed several additional pirates for—a-day to bolster the Sinclair faithful.
Judges deemed this year’s top ship and crew to be “The Porch Pirates of Lake Sinclair,” which made Arnold happy, though he was a lawyer by trade and never served as a judge.
“That was my favorite as soon as I saw it,” he said. “I just thought it was so creative and well done. I was glad to see that kind of effort rewarded.”
Porch Pirates Captain Jason Worden said his mother-in-law Mickey Hearn, a postal carrier who enjoys a weekend home at the lake with her husband, came up with the concept not long after last year’s Pirate Parade and developed it with his wife (and her daughter), Denisia.
“We all helped decorate, printed out labels, all that good stuff, but the ideas were all theirs,” Worden said. “It was fun to put together. This was our fourth year doing it, and it’s always fun. We love it. I’m glad they do something like this.”
Placing second was the “Queen’s Lair,” and in third place came “Pour Choices,” featuring an all-woman crew from Tampa, led by Captain Beth Edwards, who also enjoys a home at Lake Sinclair.
“I want to thank Beth because it’s her birthday,” said Pour Choices crewmember Kellui Wolfe, the lone entry and winner in the Sea Hag category. “I want to thank Cindy; I want to thank Lauren; I want to thank Linda; and I want to thank Lisa, because these are all my best friends!”
Also popular among the Pirate Parade faithful was a win in the Best Pirate Pet category by “Murphy,” an eight-year-old, one-eyed poodle - Bijon.
“I’m proud of him,” crewmate Christine Odom said. “He had fun.”
No question, he wasn’t alone.