Privateer Dragons of the Caribbean are a friendly, family-oriented duo known as Captain Cuckoo and Admiral Laktos the Intolerable. Laktos the Intolerable is the festival persona invented by Steve Romano, author/artist who penned/illustrated the following fantasy adventure novels inspired by his witty character: Dreams of Betrayal, Realm of Nightmares and Dreams of a King (due in 2009). The Privateer Dragons website is the creation of artist/webmistress Heidi Bosch, who plays Laktos' companion Captain Cuckoo. The site chronicles their adventures at pirate festivals and renaissance faires, and includes information to help others find and enjoy these fun events.

Each year, we enjoy spending a few of what we consider to be our best week-ends meeting old or making new friends at local pirate festivals and renaissance faires. Because most people are unaware of the abundance of festivals and faires in the US and abroad, we want to help them discover the simple pleasures that are only found in these magical kingdoms of make-believe, enhanced by the natural beauty of the outdoors.

People always ask us what it is about these festivals that makes us want to go back year after year. The answer is that we both love putting smiles on other people's faces. Laktos loves to share tales, make people laugh, buy a round or two for his new acquaintances and old friends. The Captain loves answering questions about her props, for instance: "What's that hand for?" Answers: "Everybody can use an extra hand. It comes in handy. I love hand ball. I'm looking for the palm reader," etc.

Attending these festivals, we are reminded of what's really important in life: sharing time with others. It warms our hearts each time another person was made a littler happier by an experience they shared with us. Most people are so wrapped up in daily chores that they seldom talk, look at, notice or smile at another person during the day. Not so at these festivals. At them, everyone greets each other, interacts and always smiles. That's something so simple yet so fulfilling. Once people experience this, they simply can't get enough and usually start looking for and attending other festivals close to home.

Once bitten by the festival bug, many want to know how to make their own costume or to create their own festival persona. "Faire veterans" get a real kick out of giving advice to "faire virgins" on where to find costumes at bargain prices, where to find the special fabrics or old world musical instruments, how to make your own costume and/or medieval-style weapons, or how to accessorize when you're on a tight budget.

People who get in the spirit usually end up creating their own character for "faire." Laktos is particularly talented at coming up with a very clever "faire name" for those who enjoy his witty and often time silly names which he shares at the blink of an eye. Of course, you may end up having to do some explaining to your family why this new name of yours is just a term of affection, and how much you really, really like it and don't need to change it (you have to have a good sense of humor to accept those types of names).

Going to these festivals is fun for the very outgoing person, the type who enjoys interacting with others, who's not afraid to act silly, especially if it's for a good cause: a belly-laugh or two. And fun-loving people, such as Laktos, always carry their own sack of props, just in case the moment calls out for a good pun or play on words.

It's also a treat for people watchers, nature lovers, and those who just want to get away from all things city, returning to simpler pleasures, experiencing an entertaining day or two in beautiful surroundings, listening to the sounds of laughter and music, meeting nice people sharing stories, food and drink with others.

Bringing food and drinks to share with our friends before or after a day at the festival is an added bonus, especially when camping nearby. Those times end up being almost as fun as the festivals themselves.

A tradition of many festival enthusiasts is making and handing out "faire favors," and giving out toy souvenirs to children, as Laktos does as he entertains their parents with his silly banter and funny props.

After attending faires and festivals for many, many years, it's become like a family reunion for us.

May our paths cross with yours at a future faire or festival.

Huzzah!