2018
PIRAT E FEST
vast matey! Don’t ye think about turning that page
without learnin’ of ye King and Queen for the 14th
Annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest.
Come but once a year, the Tybee Island Pirate Fest
is a massive celebration bringing land lubbers and
swashbucklers together to celebrate the rich history of Tybee Island,
drink some rum, and support our tiny island. Not to undersell this event
by any means, as TIPF is anything but tiny. Drawing massive crowds,
big name bands like Quiet Riot, and becoming a tradition for countless
groups of friends and families both near and far, this is always one
helluva good time!
Before I get into introducing our Fair King and Queen, they asked me
to please give a shout out to Tybee’s very own Jenny Orr, for all the
hard work and dedication she puts into this event year after year. Not
to be stopped by any storm, Tybee couldn’t do it without her.
Now, please allow me to introduce our King and Queen, two of the
most caring people, with the biggest hearts I know:
This year we are honored to celebrate under the rule of King Frank
Kelly and his beautiful Queen, Karen Kelly. Tybee locals and business
owners, I cannot think of a greater pair to be bestowed this honor.
Frank and Karen fell in love at age 17, but life moved them apart. Years
down the road, they both ended up on Tybee where they rekindled their
love, and in fact, the very first Pirate Fest actually plays a huge role in
that. But I can touch on it later.
Frank and Karen restored the old Hunter House and turned it into the
stunning Beachview Bed and Breakfast. They’ve since opened Java
and Juice on the same property, and told me they have more plans
to come. Though many people would say their claim to fame is the
massive restoration they did, anyone who knows them would know it
all has to do with how much this couple loves to give to our community.
“It’s my heart, to see people fed,” Karen said, her voice cracking. “Give
to the poor, like the pirates,” she added. “That was Robin Hood,” Frank
chimed in, and we all had a good laugh.
Karen has spent countless hours working on giving back. One of her
more notable offerings is opening her B&B to those who don’t want
to leave Tybee when a hurricane hits, but don’t live in a safe enough
structure. I know this because I have been directly blessed with their
kindness, having no family around the south. Also, Karen makes sure I
don’t spend Christmas mornings alone, taking me in as just one more
waiter who served her. This small act of kindness is just one of many:
Both Kelly’s have spent quality time at the community garden, figuring
out the water system to keep those plants happy and healthy. The
Post Theater, Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tybee, St. Michaels, Tybee
Food Bank (Girls Night Inn) have also hugely benefited with the helping
hands of our royalty. It’s safe to say these two have their hearts in
the right places, and so easy to see how they were chosen. “I am so
humbled to be queen alongside so many past queens,” Karen added.
The first Tybee Pirate Fest Frank asked Karen if she would be
interested in meeting his children. They arranged to meet, Karen was
nervous, and being newer to Tybee, hadn’t dabbled much with alcohol.
Wanting so bad to make a good first impression, she stopped into Tybee
Time and ordered a martini, hoping to relax. She then became drunk
as a skunk (off ONE) and had to go home to bed, missing the entire
night’s activities. Fortunately for love, Frank wasn’t off put by his true
love being too tipsy, and together they have forged a fairy tale marriage.
If you’ve never been to Tybee’s Pirate Fest, Frank suggests attending
the Buccaneer Ball at Crab Shack on Thursday, October 4th. There
will be a host of some of Tybee’s (famous?) pirates there to kick off
the weekend where the official Coronation of the King and Queen will
take place.
Karen mentioned how family friendly Tybee’s Pirate Fest is. Even
with a few risqué costumes, the crowd is very respectful and this year
there will be a larger children’s area, with a Ferris wheel, petting zoo,
inflatables, carnival, games and crafts.
For those early risers, I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention stopping in to
Java and Juice to get a Royal Pirate, its Frank’s concoction. I can’t tell
you everything involved, but there is house infused coffee rum, and I
drank more than one during the interview.
Enjoying a happy little rum buzz, I asked Karen’s favorite memory;
she said it was the year she was asked to oversee hospitality for the
band. Frank’s favorite memory was his photo op with Mini Kiss two
years ago. When asked about this year they both said they’re looking
forward to the parade and being able to spend time with their family.
“Added bonus, getting to stay up late and missing work,” Karen added.
Frank’s been practicing throwing coins, as he prepares to lead off the
parade.
It’s not a traditional interview with me if I don’t ask one off-thewall
question: If you had a Pirate Ship what would you name it? Frank
said Rhum One, and Karen, after much deliberation with her daughter
Wendy, decided on Queen Anne’s Revenge. My suggestion of Booty
Hunter was rejected by the royal family.
So grab your doubloons, get into the spirit of Pirate Fest by climbing
into your most ridiculous revealing outfit and shaking your booty!!! The
whole shindig kicks off with the Buccaneer’s Ball on Thursday, October
4th. Friday, Saturday and Sunday is all down front with live music and
entertainment for the entire family! Don’t forget the parade on Saturday
starts at 3pm. See you there, matey!! ARGH!!!
A
10 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | SEPT 2018
By Jimmy Prosser - Photo by Wen McNally