Annual Vallejo festival to draw thousands

Some of those going to the Northern California Pirate Festival Saturday and Sunday can point to such fictional characters as Long John Silver, Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow as having sparked their fascination with plunderers of the sea.

But for some, the interest in pirates, buccaneers, cutthroats and privateers is historical rather than fanciful.

Pirates of the Silver Realm, based in Reno, Nev., will have a large display that can fuel that historic curiosity.

Corey Lefkowitz will become Captain Dogfish Briggins for the event, and he and other members of Pirates of the Silver Realm will bring reproduction tools, weapons, clothing, tents, and other accouterments of the late 17th and 18th centuries, a period often called “The Golden Age of Piracy.”

“We educate folks with more detailed information about the Golden Age of Piracy,” Lefkowitz said. “We also have a guest book which folks can sign with a short description of what they enjoyed about our crew encampment.”

Among the things he’s bringing to the festival is a coehorn mortar. “It shoots bowling balls,” he said. “These cannons were used to destroy forts and seaports.” His weighs 2,500 pounds.

There’s plenty of other weapons to see, including carronade cannons, field cannons and deck swivel guns.

But it’s not just about weapons. Everyday items, including those at the Silver Realm’s tavern, will be on display.

The encampment, at 150 feet by 75 feet, is large enough to accommodate a dory, a shallow-draft boat; “onion” glass bottles named for their shape; and other items that would have been carried along the trade routes of the time.

“The Northern California Pirate Festival is limited on room, because of its location and space,” Lefkowitz said. The encampment is roped off, but from the cordon, festival-goers will have plenty to see. Despite the size limits, he said, “This is one of my personal favorites, and it sits on the San Francisco Bay.”

Lefkowitz — whose pirate persona has been painted by artist Don Maitz onto the six of spades in his deck of pirate playing cards — and Lori Archer started the organization last summer.

But while Pirates of the Silver Realm is new, this isn’t the first Northern California Pirate Festival for Captain Dogfish Briggins.

“This is my eighth festival,” he said. “I helped an earlier crew called ‘Tales of the Seven Seas’ in years past with encampment effects and props.” When that group went into decline, he said, he decided to start his own organization.

“We are a dedicated crew of living-history enthusiasts who recreate the Golden Age of Piracy through our personas, wardrobes and effects,” he said.

That crew consists of people from Nevada and California, he said, and some members from other states, too. The organization has about 30 of what he calls “committed crew members” who volunteer.

“It takes a small army to set up this fabulous encampment and tavern,” Lefkowitz said, calling it “a maritime educational encampment experience.”

“We have hundreds of friends and fans who come out to support us, along with members of the Order of Leviathan crew.”

Order of the Leviathan is a private membership order of pirates, elected from among those who are active in the growing “pirate community.”

“Pirates of the Silver Realm is a family-based crew, with children and adults,” Lefkowitz said. “The crew has all levels of re-enacting, which includes beginners to novice, intermediate to advanced, and more knowledgeable crew members with decades of living-history involvement.”

His pirate crew also is welcoming new members to participate in the various festivals they attend. Active crew members get some benefits, such as discounts, food and gate listings for admission.

But they do earn those privileges. Most study the historic times of the piratical golden age, including details about their weapons, accessories and garments. They participate in “rendezvous,” gatherings that can run a few days to several weeks. During a rendezvous, participants stay in the encampment tents and wear period clothing.

“At some festivals, we set up an encampment,” Lefkowitz said. At others, “We ‘raid’ by walking in as a crew together for the day.”

The Northern California Pirate Festival is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Vallejo Waterfront Park, 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo. Admission is $10 at the gate for adults and free to children 11 and younger. In addition, the festival has a separate Buccaneer’s Bash for those 18 and older, with entertainment by pirate rock musicians and burlesque from the Barbary Coast. Admission to the Buccaneer’s Bash is $15.

Weekend packages also will be sold at the gate or through Eventbrite.com.

Those interested may visit the Northern California Pirate Festival website, www.norcalpiratefestival.com, or call 866-921-YARR (9277).