Seafair Pirates take over Seattle

SEATTLE — The Seafair Landing of Pirates on Alki Beach is an annual rite of summer passage.  The pirates drew hundreds of people in bright, summery weather, many dressed in pirate regalia themselves. The story goes that each year a new Captain Kidd is selected and the pirates come ashore to collect a bounty they left behind the previous year.  The pirate ship is an aging landing barge, but that was no matter to the throngs in attendance.

For many of the spectators, it was the first time they have gone to Alki Beach to see the pirates land, despite living in Seattle for some time.

"I have never been here. I live here 15 years and this is my first time watching this,” said Miguel Pedrosa of Seattle. His 4-year-old son clung to his leg as the loud cannon fire boomed throughout Elliot Bay as the pirate ship approached shore.

Cassie Bussing of Seattle echoed the sentiments of many.

"It's like the start of the best part of Seattle summer. This is what summer in Seattle is all about,” said Bussing.

KIRO 7 is the official Seafair station. The next Seafair signature event is the milk carton derby next weekend at Green Lake.

Click here for the KIRO 7 Seafair section.

KIRO