Anyone heard of Bowlegs?

[chris41483]

I have a friend that lives in Fort Walton Beach, FL. He has mentioned a big get together on the water the weekend of June 5th called Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival. Anyone heard of it? Going? I am trying to decide whether to go, and what boat to take if I do. I don't know what to expect.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Never heard of it, but it peaked my interest - funny name. A google search came back with this:

http://www.fwbchamber.org/Billy-Bowlegs.bowlegs.0.html

 

[chris41483]

Thanks for the link. Looks like more of a community function on land than a boating event. He said there are lots of people that meet up in the bay with boats, though. I don't know whether there was an island that has part of the events on it? He has only lived there for 8 months or so, so he is also going on 3rd hand info. I was hoping we could catch someone on here who had been there, and could tell me more about it.

 

[dblvanos]

When I lived there it was a huge boat party as well as land. If you go make sure you have water guns, people like to run around squirting each other.

 

[Hampton]

Take the smaller boat, lots of beer, sunscreen, water guns, a sense of humour, and hot chicks in bikinis. There isn't an island, but there is "Crab Island," a shallow area of water just inside of the Destin Bridge. People anchor out in close quarters and wade around. There will be drink boats, a band barge, possibly a trampoline boat, and lots of good ole American debauchery. Keep your wife lubed up, but don't make her so sick as to need to leave - just enough to have a sense of humor about what's going on around you. Remind her that it's not your fault that those girls forgot their tops!

If you enjoy more conservative venues, you can motor under the bridge and anchor inside of the mouth to Destin Harbour, right against the sand. It's quite a boat parade there.

 

[chris41483]

You mentioned I might want to take the smaller boat. Any peticular reason? I would much rather tow the smaller boat, but I would much rather be able to sleep on the larger boat, and it is the one with the bad a$$ stereo. I am torn. Push me in the right direction!

...oh, you mentioned being conservative. In my political views, yes. In my crown drinking habit, not as much so.

 

[Stray Cat]

There will be drink boats, a band barge, possibly a trampoline boat, and lots of good ole American debauchery. Keep your wife lubed up, but don't make her so sick as to need to leave - just enough to have a sense of humor about what's going on around you. Remind her that it's not your fault that those girls forgot their tops!

My wife would make me wear a welding hood (helmet) to an event like that! I like good debauchery! Sounds like a blast.

 

[Hampton]

You mentioned I might want to take the smaller boat. Any peticular reason? I would much rather tow the smaller boat, but I would much rather be able to sleep on the larger boat, and it is the one with the bad a$$ stereo. I am torn. Push me in the right direction!

...oh, you mentioned being conservative. In my political views, yes. In my crown drinking habit, not as much so.

In that case, take the big boat. You may have to guard against less competent folks trying to drive too close to your boat/anchor. You could tow the small boat so you could anchor the big boat in the area, but not in the "fray," and then take the small boat into the thick of things when you want to do that.

 

[Crushin It]

There will be drink boats, a band barge, possibly a trampoline boat, and lots of good ole American debauchery. Keep your wife lubed up, but don't make her so sick as to need to leave - just enough to have a sense of humor about what's going on around you. Remind her that it's not your fault that those girls forgot their tops!

Damn this makes me feel better. I thought I was the only one who lived my life.......

 

[Gettin' There II]

It is a great time both on land and in the water. They reenact the landing of Billy Bowlegs and his pirates at Fort Walton Beach Landing. On Friday night the town repels the pirates and there is a large on water fireworks show. On Saturday the pirates land and take over the town, big party commences. There is a parade throught the Ft Walton Beach landing with the throwing of beads etc. On land there are bands and the usual fair type food.
On the water in the vicinity of the landing but clear of the ICW a large area is set aside for boats to raft up, it is pretty large and as stated before water cannon and water balloon launches are the way of the day. You can stay on the outer edge and remain clear of the big mess.
The pirate ships launch from Destin Harbor and proceed past Crab Island (not really an island but a great raft up area just north of Destin pass).
We try to go to the fireworks on Friday night on the boat, then Saturday to the pirate landing on land and then head out to Crab Island on Sunday on the boat.
It is a good time.