- April 19, 2024
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Bradenton's Marlie Haynes, 2, and mom, Monique Mitchell, enjoy some pirates' company.
Longboat Key's Larry Wilhelm plays his guitar and sings a pirate song.
John Swager, the president of the Anna Maria Privateers, greets the children as they board.
Jamie Van Deusen goes through "No Good Do Good Pirates" to a packed ship.
The Anna Maria Island Privateers' vessel was packed with captured children at the Braden River Library.
All pirates have their eye on treasure.
Bill Rosencrantz reads "No Pirates Allowed" to the children.
John Swager gets his turn to read to his new shipmates.
What pirate, or privateer, doesn't have a bottle of rum handy?
Cindy Swager and Kelly Sparkman of the Anna Maria Island Privateers surround Lakewood Ranch 5-year-old Mathew Asaad.
The children appeared to have a great time despite some hot conditions aboard ship.
Lakewood Ranch's Collin Johnson is happy he doesn't have to walk the plank.
Two-year-old Marlie Haynes of Bradenton enjoys her pirate flag.
The Anna Maria Island Privateers had a stack of books ready to read to the children.
Lakewood Ranch's Susan Johnson gave the best reason the Anna Maria Island Privateers brought their ship to the Braden River Library on Saturday.
After her 6-year-old son, Collin, came off the ship, they were headed back inside the library. "We will be checking out pirate books," she said.
Braden River Children's Librarian Chris Culp was thrilled with a turnout of more than 30 children taking part in the special event. "I thought it would be fun," Culp said. "The kids love pirates. It inspires their imagination."
John Swager, the president of the Anna Maria Island Privateers, said the non-profit group's motto is "kids and communities" and the seven volunteers who showed up representing the club were thrilled to inspire children to read.
"We wanted to provide them with an aspect of adventure," he said.
