How to Organize a Pirates of the Caribbean-Themed Party

If you have a pool, you are half way to organizing the perfect “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed party. Now just add rum!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Pirates have to get wet--or else they’re just landlubbers. Take advantage of the pool to play walk the plank, but make sure you tell your guests in advance that they’re going to end up in the drink and to bring some towels and a change of clothes.
2. It’s essential to get the lingo right if you want to throw a shipshape pirate party. So on party day, and even before, it’s “Ahoy!” instead of “Hello," “Avast” instead of “Hey,” “Aye” instead of “yes,” and toss in “Arrrgh” whenever you can. Check out Internet sites, such as talklikeapirate.com, for a broader education (see Resources).
3. Set the perfect tone for the party with the right invitation. Write it or e-mail it pirate–“Ahoy there Matey,” for starters. If you’re sending written invitations add pirate touches–rub coffee on the invite to age it, put a wax seal on it to give it authenticity, and even burn the edges to show it’s been through the war on all the Seven Seas.
4. Your guests should come dressed as characters from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and ham it up as Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Captain Barbossa, Davy Jones, Bootstrap Bill, Sao Feng and whatever other bloodthirsty raiders take their fancy. If they don’t come in suitable attire, make them walk the plank!
5. Decorate your pirate world. Pull the Halloween decorations out of storage to find skulls and skeletons. And make sure you have the Jolly Roger–the pirates’ skull and crossbones flag–in a prominent position. Add black and gold balloons and streamers and visit your local party store to get more ideas.
6. Choose reggae, reggaeton, dancehall and steel drum band music as the soundtrack for your “Pirates of the Caribbean” party. Browse iTunes for a suitable playlist and put your iPod on shuffle through the sound system. Keep it lively and light.
7. No Pirate party would be complete without bottles of rum and Caribbean-style drinks. Make plenty of Planter’s Punch with rum and have everything on hand to make Caribbean cocktails, such as Mojitos, Pina Coladas and Hurricanes. Serve everything with slices of lime to help ward off “scurvy,” the dreaded seaman’s disease.
8. Once your guests have had a few drinks, get them livened up with a Limbo Dance competition. You probably won’t have to suggest a conga line, as one of your more lubricated guests will get it started on their own.
9. Get out the barbecue and, even if you’re not going to serve suckling pig or roast goat, give your food pirate-friendly names. “Hard Tack Hamburgers” will satisfy most hungry pirates, but if you’re really adventurous you can try making the pirate stew of choice, the legendary culinary feast of Salmagundi, with beef, chicken or pork.
10. Hire a fortuneteller to read palms, or get a hairdresser–or a friend with some nimble fingers–to braid pirate hair and add on dreadlock extensions.
11. Keep your visiting pirates wet. Organize a tug-of-war with the losers having to pass through a sprinkler spray.
12. Organize a major event as a finale for the party–a giant conga line will get everyone involved, as will a rousing chorus of the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).”

Tips & Warnings

• If you don’t have time to make decorations yourself, there are whole sets of “Pirates of the Caribbean”--themed plates, napkins, balloons and banners you can pick up at most party stores or from the Internet.
• Have an alternative plan in case of bad weather. Be prepared to move the party indoors and have DVD’s of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies on hand for entertainment.
• Some of your more dangerous “loner” pirates may want to play computer games. There are plenty of “Pirates of the Caribbean”–themed games available including, Capcom's “Adventures in the Magic Kingdom,” “Sea Dogs II: Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow” by Bethesda Softworks and even a multiplayer online role playing game entitled “Pirates of the Caribbean Online” developed by Disney.
• If you really want to make Salmagundi–and not call your favorite stew by that name--here’s what you put in the pot: 1 part salted beef or pork, 1 part fresh goat, rat, cat and seagull, 1 part assorted vegetables, eggs, anchovies, crabapples (whole), fresh fish and black banana (skin too). Cook until nasty!
• If you plan your party poolside, check on your guests’ swimming ability before you make them walk the plank. Make sure they don’t drive home if they can’t walk straight enough to walk the plank.

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