Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island is home to one of the finest deep water access ports on the east coast.  For that very reason many fine seafarers, including pirates, have been drawn here. Over the years the island has been held under the jurisdiction of eight different flags. However, the one most tale-inspiring flag, was hailed by the creatively political pirate, Luis Aury.
     During her colorful past, downtown Fernandina was once a red-light  district - a favorite port for men of quick satisfaction and women of  
questionable ethics.
     So, you see… pillaging and plundering about in these parts, well it's legendary here.  Some say, "It may be in the water… that deep, dark, driving desire to live… to live the life of a pirate."
     Even in current times, the business owner who lives next door, that charter fisherman down the street or quite possibly the quiet mother of three that you sit behind each Sunday at church, she too, just may be … a pirate!  You can never be sure who sits up late at night polishing their swash buckle, cleaning their black powdered weapon or practicing their fencing. In preparation for an invasion, parade, charity event or private party, your son's basketball coach might be shining his gold … and your mortgage broker just might be guilty of  adding a bit of lace to her bloomers.

The Fernandina Beach Pirates Club invades the streets of historic 
downtown Fernandina during the annual Isle
of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.
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     The Fernandina Pirates Club is a non-profit organization boasting nearly 60 volunteer members. They travel the region with their two homemade Pirate Ship parade floats to  enter the most popular parades and festivals in the southeast - where they almost always bring home to Nassau County the coveted first place trophy.  Originally joining ranks to promote the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Historic Fernandina Beach, (always held the first weekend of May!) these goodwill ambassadors promote Nassau County, Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island on every journey.
     But that's not all they do. Every Christmas they can be found invading the annual "Joy to the Children" Christmas Party.  Each one of these warm hearted pirates gives up a bit of holiday time with their own families so they can help make Christmas a little more special for families that might not otherwise have any Christmas at all.
     Every year they raise funds to present their own Fernandina Pirates Club Scholarship to a Nassau County High School Senior.  The winners are chosen from students who have submitted an essay about pirates (past, present or future) and the scholarship is paid directly to the accredited educational institution.
     The Pirates have been caught bagging groceries to raise money for the 
Children's Miracle Network and they can easily be spotted at Fernandina Beach High School, Home of the Mighty Fighting Pirates. Here members of the Pirates Club can be found in full costume cheering on their favorite sport and shouting, "Fire in the hole!" when shooting off the cannon 'Big John', whenever the home team scores!

Ahoy! Beneath the pirate garb may be a local merchant,
a banker, or your next-door neighbor!
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In 2003 the "Pirates on the Run" road race was added to our repertoire and additional opportunities are always presenting themselves.
     In 2005 the gulf coast experienced a series of devastating storms. The Fernandina Pirates Club rose to the occasion by raising over $1,500, contributing to the county wide effort to help Hancock County, Mississippi, get back on their feet, and adopting two families that relocated to Nassau County from the devastated area.
     In 2006, the Pirates Club added the American Diabetes Association, The Katie Caples Ride for Life and the Bausch & Lomb Championships to their efforts to better support the community.
     So wherever you see these pirates, don't think they are "up to no good." Because when it comes to The Fernandina Pirates Club - these pirates are ONLY UP TO GOOD!!!