The Kandos Pirate Festival, held on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, is likely to become an annual event after the success of Saturday’s inaugural festivities. 

Organiser Sue Honeysett said she was delighted with the town’s response to the event, which was planned to bring the community together and to attract visitors to the town. 

Sue said Kandos residents had gone “beyond the call of duty” to get into the spirit of the day,  some flying the Jolly Roger in their yards and one even growing a beard for the occasion. 

“As a starting point, we’re very happy,” she said.   “We will definitely do this again next year – bigger and better,” she said. 

Residents and visitors scoured their wardrobes and ransacked charity shops and costume hire shops for pirate fashion that would make Johnny Depp jealous. 

However, some admitted they were saving their best outfits for Saturday night’s sold-out Buccaneer Bash with “Pirate King” Jon English. 

“It’s awesome, I love it,” said Kandos resident Tony “Blackbeard’ Stemm from behind his beard.   “I think everyone has a bit of pirate in them.” 

The arrival of the “Kandos Express”, bringing visitors to the Kandos Museum for the handover of the historical Cement Australia ambulance, was a bonus for festival visitors – although some unwary passengers were surprised to be greeted by sword-wielding pirates on the station platform. 

Campbelltown-based professional martial arts troupe Swordplay joined the fun, performing choreographed duels with authentic weapons on the railway green.

Swordplay founder Kathleen Kennedy said the trip across the mountains was worthwhile to support a good cause. 

“They’ve done a really good job, and it’s so much fun,” she said. 

Any profits from the Pirate Festival will go to community projects.