What Happens When Arizona Goes Back To The 19th Century?

There's a lot to be grateful for living in the modern day. Heck, living a day without Air Conditioning would likely send me into psychosis.

There's one thing I think most people would like to make a comeback, however, and that's the swashbuckling vagrants that patrolled the seas in the 18th and 19th century.

Why imagine? They're back in Bisbee.

What is Pirate Weekend?

Taking place in early August, Pirates from all over the country descend upon Bisbee, Arizona for a weekend of piracy, debauchery, and lots of rum. The weekend has events lined up from dawn to dusk, and completely takes over the city streets.

Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to dress up in their best pirate garb and take to the streets. Events range from a screening of The Goonies to a Pirate Circus to a Pub Crawl, and everything in between. Midday through Saturday, a market was set up to turn Bisbee into a full Island Outpost.

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Pirate Prom

In my opinion, the weekend's highlight was the Pirate Prom at the Pythian Castle. This 21+ event is about as close to a night on Tortuga as you can get. Mermaids hang from the ceilings, artists give quick sketches of passersby, and the bar is always handing out grog.

Musicians adorned the back corner, and played a never-ending stream of shanties, folk tunes, and pop covers. Hordes of dancers also provided entertainment, with carefully constructed and practiced routines to really add to the Pirate Haven vibe going on.

Whether you're a pirate at heart, or just always wanted to be Will Turner, Bisbee Pirate Weekend is the place to be, and next August is going to find a way to top this year, I just know it.

[Bisbee Pirate Weekend]