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Billy Bowlegs Pirate Invasion & Downtown Party is a “new beginning” for the festival

The event is transitioning from the traditional first weekend in June to Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st, with the celebratory Torchlight Parade on Monday, May 3, 2021.

By now, there is a good chance that you’ve heard of the changes to this year’s 65th Annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival. If not, the date has changed.

The event is transitioning from the traditional first weekend in June to Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st, with the celebratory Torchlight Parade on Monday, May 3, 2021. 

The original Bowlegs festival was held Labor Day weekend but quickly moved to the first weekend in June to promote summer tourism. June is now one of the busiest months of the year for tourism which played a part in the the decision to move to a weekend that would “benefit both our tourists, by offering more budget friendly pricing, and our hotel partners, by filling the region during an off-peak time”, according to a press release from the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

This City of Fort Walton Beach is also in favor of this change as it will allow the festival to shine a light on more of the Downtown area along with the merchants who call it home.

“The City is excited to partner with the Krewe of Bowlegs and the Downtown Merchants to bring a reinvented Bowlegs Festival to Downtown Fort Walton Beach,” said Michael Beedie, City Manager. “The new event is truly a downtown community event for all ages and is a new beginning for the Bowlegs Festival!”

Details for the weekend:

  • Head the Fort Walton Beach Landing Park (131 Brooks Street) on Saturday, May 1, at 2 p.m. to watch the arrival of Captain Billy and his krewe as they march inland to continue their mischief Downtown and attempt to take over the City and skirmish with Mayor Rynearson.
  • Pirate-themed activities for kids will take place from 2-6 p.m. including a scavenger hunt.
  • Then, everyone is invited to a block party with live entertainment on Ferry Road SE between Burrito del Sol and the Salty Duck – a DJ from 2-5 p.m. and a band from 5-8 p.m. – where Captain Billy himself will join the party.
  • The night will be capped off with a fireworks display Downtown at 8:30 p.m.

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Community Comments

“Lawless society,truly indicates the signs of our times...head on a swivel!”
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“Although I never had the honor of knowing this young man, I see the beauty in his smile and his joy is evident. My heartfelt condolences to his family and...”
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“Many will disagree but I think this is over reach by Eglin. I see the comments that if it is opened to the public it would get trashed; I agree....”
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“I work from home as an influencer. I have a YouTube channel where I teach how to make balloon animals. If my internet doesn’t stay up I have to do...”
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“I live on North Lloyd where they want to put the 94 unit complex. I understand that it's a great thing for a military housing. I want to know how...”
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“I’m still experiencing intermittent outages, but the bright side is I’m not exceeding my data caps! #ThanksCoz”
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“What will happen to the residents who presently live here? Is there a plan to rehome them while this is being built? Will they be grandfathered in once they are...”
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“The original concept of the festival is lost. It was lost when it became charging admissions. I miss the original but not the new version. It is dead so let...”
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“Going on 2 days without service, forcing me to take PTO. Making the switch to Live Oak Fiber next week”
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“"Providing fingerprints on-sight," means fingerprints will be taken at the time of enrollment, or we bring a copy of our previously certified fingerprints? Thank you in advance for response.”
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