Ahoy matey, Seafair is here

The Sonics may be moving to Oklahoma City, but at least one Seattle tradition continues -- the burly, scraggly Seafair Pirates landed on Alki Beach Saturday afternoon.

· View photos of the pirates' landing on Alki Beach

"This is the traditional kickoff to Seafair," event spokesman Dan Wartelle said.

Thousands of people lined the popular West Seattle beach, sitting on logs or folding chairs. Parents clutched digital and video cameras as kids in eye patches and black bandanas raced along the rocky beach for a glimpse of the pirates, wading ashore from a Navy landing craft.

As they walked up the shore, the motley crew with thick arms raised their swords and axes, some tossing souvenir Seafair coins for onlookers.

"Arrgh!" one pirate yelled. "Who wants to lose a leg today?"

More than a dozen boats sat offshore in the Puget Sound, many of them flying the black skull and crossbones pirate flags, firing blasts from fake cannons that could be heard onshore.

"Seattle is about the sea and the pirates are on the sea," Renton resident Shannon Herron said.

The 40-year-old mother brought her three kids to enjoy the event.

Her son's plan for the day: "Just to get crazy."

Many did. Kids dug holes in the sand. Others tucked plastic swords in their pants and ran to the water.

West Seattle resident Marc Olander, 40, and his wife brought their three children to the spectacle.

"It's pretty convenient to come watch," Olander said. "It's fun for the kids."

If the band of pirates was not enough, there were pole-vaulters -- including university and high school students -- who defied gravity for onlookers by demonstrating their prowess on the beach.

And a Seattle fireboat in the Puget Sound sprayed water from its cannons.

There was enough pirate paraphernalia to make any seafaring marauder proud, with many people wearing black scarves and pirate hats.

Seattle resident Gretchen Frederich, 24, and her boyfriend showed up dressed head-to-toe as pirates -- though they are not formally affiliated with Seafair.

Frederich operates a small sewing business and made just about every piece of clothing the two were wearing.

"I just enjoy any opportunity to bust out the costumes," she said with a smile.

Frederich wore a flowing green skirt, white shirt and black "tri-corner" pirate-style hat.

The two posed for photos with strangers and kids smiled as the couple walked on the beach.

"The pirates are landing," she said. "Why not dress up like them?"

UPCOMING SEAFAIR EVENTS: