See — or be — a historic pirate

THE Northern California Pirate Festival is June 14-15.
File photo

Festival organizers want to bring out your inner ‘Arrr’

The Northern California Pirate Festival is looking for a few good — or bad — buccaneers, privateers and seafaring scoundrels, the kind whose tales are told in history books.

This year’s festival theme is “2014: Year of the Pirate,” highlighting famous, infamous and even some obscure pirates who lived and fought during the Golden Age of Piracy and beyond.

The two-day event has openings for people who can portray actual pirates from centuries past, said Steve Morales, director of the Seadogs and one of the festival’s organizers. Candidates may apply through Monday.

Organizers are looking for men and women who have their own costumes, resemble the historical characters they would be portraying, and are knowledgeable about their pirates’ stories so they can be shared with festival-goers and history buffs.

The historical pirate portrayers will participate in “meet and greet” sessions with the public, have photographs taken with the audience and be involved in other promotional activities.

“Pirate ambassadors” need to be available both days of the June festival. “But don’t worry,” Morales said. “There will still be plenty of time to play!”

Those selected will receive a “VIP” package of gifts and two all-access passes to the event.

Some pirates, such as “Calico” Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny and Stede Bonnet, have been cast. So far, openings are available for those who want to become Mary Reade, Edward Low, Edward “Blackbeard” Teach, Grace O’Malley, Christopher Condent, Henry Avery, Captain Kidd, Bartholomew Roberts, Henry Morgan, Sir Francis Drake, Cheung Po Tsai, Ching Shih and Lucky Lafitte.

One exception to the “historic” requirement will be Captain Hook. “We know he’s not really historical,” Morales said, “but we just have to include him!”

Those applying will need to submit a photograph of themselves in costume, the name of the pirate they’re portraying, their contact information, information about why they would be a good “theme character,” such as theatrical background or experience working with children. Submissions may be emailed to entertainment@norcalpiratefestival.com.

The Northern California Pirate Festival takes place June 14-15 at the Vallejo Waterfront Park. Tickets are available at www.norcalpiratefestival.com.