Pirate Day in Milford

Well, I happened to be in Milford for yet another in the town's series of summer events. I've made it to this one a couple of times in the past, but always manage to arrive just as it ends. This time I was here for the beginning, but since I had other obligations, I *still* only managed to be there for a quick zip through. But that's ok, because this event is very much aimed at kids. They get a map and a series of riddles that correspond to each of the various stores that are participating in the event. At each store, the kids can pick up some "booty" - just cheap little trinkets mostly. All the stores do pirate-themed window displays and have someone dressed as a pirate to give out the prizes. A really surprising (to me anyway) number of attendees - just random people in the area with their kids - also come dressed as pirates. So there's just all these people randomly strolling around dressed as pirates. It's like Halloween, except everyone decided to go as the same thing. XD Also, it's in June. ;P

The reason behind this event is a little sketchy to me - supposedly Captain Kidd buried his treasure on Charles Island (a little island just off the coast here) - but who doesn't love pirates? I'm just wondering if they'll be able to work out some historical town connection to ninjas eventually...

On to the pictures!

They did a Rubber Duck window again, which was my favorite from previous years. I got some better pictures this time too.


Front of the window (lots of reflection, so not the best picture of the bunch)


There were lots of people trying to get by me to do the scavenger hunt as I took these, so I'm glad they more or less came out anyway!

This time the window had a theme - to do with Captain Kidd of course!


Then we have lots of closeups so you can appreciate all the details. I don't know who did this (I'll try to find out) but they put a lot of work in!

Here's a closeup of the ducks in the rowboat:

Notice that they have band-aid eyepatches! XD

The ducks on the 'island':



The beer drinking ducks. Their campfire is one of those LED candles. One of a couple of 'nighttime' features I noticed. I wonder if they light the window up after dark? Seems unlikely, since the store is closed and downtown is pretty deserted. But why did they bother then?

Here's the other bit that seems to light up:

I think the moon looks like it is wired to have a light behind it? That's cute! I like the duck flying the kite too.


There's a surprising number of these boat models floating around stores in Milford. Maybe when you open a store here the town council welcomes you with a model boat and a gift basket...

The ducks playing cards in the front:


The ducks counting their treasure (in the back):


The other windows were not as spectacular, but these bears are cute:




And they put in a nice effort with all this sand and the cool treasure chest:

Notice that they tied pirate bandanas on the cardboard women that are probably always in their window - nice touch!

And this map is nicely done:


Complete with pirate skeleton making a joke:


I liked the little octopus painted on the window of Cafe Atlantique:


Nonnie had a bone to pick with this display, as well as several of the others...

"Ok, unless your pirates are more exasperated than evil, they should be saying 'Arrr!', not "Arghh!', ok?"
(It was so crowded during the event that I actually came back later after it was over to take this - and it was still embarrassing considering how many cars were driving by!)

Here's some of the other fun stuff that went on (all of which I missed - and i'm really sorry to have missed the Johnny Depp lookalike contest! That seems like it would've been some good fun...)


More pix here in the flickr set.