PHOTOS: Pirates Invade Milford

Photos courtesy of Jan Sexson whose recap of the day follows.

Lisman Landing in Milford was the scene of a kidnapping Sunday afternoon, but the victim didn't put up a struggle.

The pirate ship sailed into Lisman Landing at noon as a huge crowd of onlookers cheered.

Beautiful pirate ladies carried a huge treasure chest of booty down the gangplank, followed by a very dashing Cap'n Kidd (a.k.a. Brian Smith of WPLR Radio).

Pirates of all ages, in a wonderful variety of costumes, watched as Cap'n Kidd presented Mayor Blake with the large gold key to the City of Milford.

Wait a minute...you mean the Mayor didn't have the key to the City? It seems it was stolen last year by Cap'n Kidd and his gang.

The 9th Annual Cap'n Kidd Treasure Hunt was sponsored in part by the Downtown Milford Business Association, Seven Seas Restaurant and Pub, and WPLR Radio.  Live music was performed by The RockBox band.

Participants were given a treasure map and a booty bag that could be filled by downtown merchants displaying a pirate flag. Children had their little faces painted while adults strolled the Green and enjoyed the day.

Mayor Ben Blake, with his beautiful wife Sandy and their two children, lead the parade of costumed folk from Lisman Landing to the downtown area and was later seen enjoying the festivities with his family, still dressed in his Captain Jack Sparrow style pirate hat and dreadlocks...That's right, Mayor Blake in dreadlocks! What a great sport.

My thanks to all who worked hard to make this event such a huge success and so much fun. Also, my thanks to "Cap'n Kidd" Brian Smith who, along with many other pirates, suffered the heat of the day under hot, long-sleeved garments and wigs, and kept on smiling!

Milford...what a great group of people and a great place to live! Hope you enjoyed your Sunday afternoon as much as I did.