ABOUT THE KREWE

The Krewe of Bowlegs is committed to the preservation of swashbuckling fun and piracy along the beautiful Emerald Coast. True to our charter, we provide the adventurous pirate spirit to the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival and Torchlight Parade each year. Attacks by land and sea result in a takeover of the city, raucous celebration, and finally a torchlight parade where Captain Billy and the Krewe distribute our loot to the good people of Fort Walton Beach. Our great deeds of piracy are not limited to the festival week. Captain Billy and the pirates and wenches invade many other community events throughout the year. Look for us reading a pirate tale to elementary school children, training dolphins at the Gulfarium, or speeding across the bay in the Legendary Marine Billy Bowlegs Poker Run benefiting Emerald Coast Autism Center and William Augustus Bowles Museum & Historical Foundation. You never know where a scurvy pirate will turn up. To satisfy the pirate’s quest for adventure the Blackhawk and Krewe set sail to cities throughout Florida and St. Paul, MN for festival and parade appearances. We are ambassadors for the Emerald Coast and the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, as we bring back, other pirates, Indians, Vulcans, and many others to participate in the festivities.


The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival and the Krewe of Bowlegs were started in 1954 as a way to build tourism for the Fort Walton Beach community. The Krewe of Bowlegs continues today with that same commitment to serving the area. Wherever a daring, adventurous swashbuckler (or just a guy in a funny pirate hat) is needed you may find us. Captain Billy and his brave Krewe ventured into the local elementary schools to pose for art class portraits and read stories of daring escapades. The pirates braved the open seas to train dolphin at the Gulfarium and dropped anchor at Bob Hope Village to judge the Halloween costume contest. Whether it's marching in the Starfish Project Mardi Gras Parade or teeing up the ceremonial shot at a golf tournament, the Captain and the Krewe are always willing to lend a hand...or hook, as the case may be.


Krewe of Bowlegs
PO Box 1077
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549-1077