The event was hosted by Raising Awareness on Wildlife and Rivers. Local families were encourages to visit the park in their best pirate garb to play and learn the pirate way. If the kids in attendance had no pirates garb, some hats were provided.

Throughout the day, kids were invited to makes pirate necklaces, create sand art, color photos and play pirates on the boat shaped playground equipment. Several families joined in the fun with children taking turns as pirate captain.

Many of the pirate props were provided by volunteer Michael Huerkamp, who is well-versed in the history of pirates. The history of pirates even extends to the rivers and Great Lakes of the Midwest.

“It was common to have river pirates up until the Civil War,” Huerkamp said. There were always individuals willing to steal from those traveling the river.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Young pirate Alice Wesselmann guards her booty, keeping one eye on the camera Saturday at the Riverside History and Nature Learning Center.

There were rumors that Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant, the first European inhabitant of the St. Paul, was a former pirate. Parrant was reported to be a French-Canadian fur trapper turned bootlegger.

The age of the river pirate is long gone, but the stories and history remains.

Those interested in more river history are encouraged to visit the Riverside History and Nature Learning Center.

Hours are 12-3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 1-4 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 p.m. Sunday.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Chad Wengert (left), Xavier Gieske and Michael Huerkamp live the pirate life about the Riverside Park playground ship. Gieske took the first turn as pirate captain, saying he his authentic prosthetic was like a peg leg and that made him the most pirate.