  The Fort Taylor Pirate Fest takes place the first weekend of December. The event is an historical reenactment of a portion of the Golden Age of Pyracy, depicting the years 1675-1725. Fort Taylor, a Civil War-era fortress, is transformed into an British fortress armed with cannon to prevent easy passage of sailing vessels at war with Britain around the southernmost island of the Florida Keys. It retains the name of Fort Taylor, so named for a British privateer, John Taylor, who later "retired" as a "gentleman" in the service of the Panamanian Coastal Guard in the mid 1600s. The fortress is manned by a small company of British Royal Marines.
Follow these links for video clips from the 2007 event: Video #1; Video #2.
All images are copyright Callahan Digital Art, 2006-2007 and may not be used without permission .Tentative Schedule (a more complete schedule will be posted as it is developed)
Important Registration InformationThe 2008 event dates are December 5-7. All participants are required to register for the event. Merchants interested in participating in the Fort Taylor Pirate Fest must be pre-approved--no exceptions. Only merchandise that is applicable to the Golden Age of Pyracy time period that is depicted by the event (1675-1725) will be allowed on site. The registration deadline for participants and merchants is November 1, 2008. Event staff will mail participants and merchants the necessary passes for access into the state park as well as specific reenactor schedules. Download the reenactor registration form here. Coming soon! Download the merchant registration form here. Coming soon! Driving Directions:
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is located at the end of Southard Street thru the Truman Annex in Key West.
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During the reenactment, the fortress flies the King's Colours. The mission of the Royal Marines is to prevent pyrates from sailing thru the harbor and from landing upon the island to seek provisions. As one might expect, the pyrates ignore the presence of the King's Royal Marines and proceed to land upon the island, establish a careening camp and be so bold as to attack Fort Taylor! What group is behind this skullduggery? None other than the most feared pyrate crewe of the Florida Keys, the Bone Island Buccaneers. Get a taste of buccaneer life, Bone Island style, 
Inside Fort Taylor visitors will see a "Thieves Market" displaying merchandise from the era along food and drink, pyratical encampments demonstrating pyratical life aboard ship and on land, and, an authentic pyrate's pub. Visitors are also treated to cannon demonstrations and can try their hands at various pyratical games of the era. Kids can mount their own Treasure Hunt. Pyrate minstrels singing sea shanties abound. And, all pay close attention to the historically accurate tryal of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two of the most notorious female pyrates to ever sail the Spanish Main.
