A pirate’s life for he: Fairyland’s Commodore Barfbeard on teaching his sea dog ways

Commodore Barfbeard doing what an old sea dog does.

We had the opportunity to talk with Commodore Barfbeard about how he became Fairyland’s resident pirate, why he doesn’t have a peg leg, and what he’ll teach your kids in his popular Pirate School during our upcoming Jack O’Lantern Jamboree.

(FL = Children’s Fairyland, CB: Commodore Barfbeard)
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FL: First, how did you became Fairyland's pirate?

CB: I began my tenure at the Land by dressing up as a giant pumpkin and wandering the Jack O' Lantern Jamboree event. Wasn't long 'ere I took the place over, revealed my true self and began the school. So ye can say “Trojan horse” method.

FL: How long have you been doing this?
CB: Aye, ​well it be difficult to say exactly being years to ye landlubbers is different to we sea dogs but I'd wage it's been ten by your reckoning.
FL: Do you have a special pirate name, or is it simply “Andrew the Pirate”?

CB: ​I answer to The Professor of Piracy, Scourge of the Unknown Seas, The WaveBreaker... but mostly to Commodore Barfbeard. And yes, thar be a story.

I learned the life of the sea as a wee boy on the lee side of my mother's knee. Admiral Lou she be called. From her, I learned to love pushing beyond the limits of the ship to race as fast as the wind blows. Sailing at a pace that would strike fear into most other sea folk. Long ago, a friend — an avid surfer of the high waves — was bold enough to join us for a jaunty sail. Not too far had we gone 'ere she took ill, shall we say, right into my beard and it stuck. The name I mean.

Look for this mast to find the commodore during Jack O'Lantern Jamboree.

FL: What do you teach at Pirate School?

CB: The truth about the Pirate life. A few folk look oddly upon pirates for some reason unbeknownst to myself. I stress the fact that it's about community and everyone has an important role. I may be the Captain on the ship but my role is to take charge in certain situations. Long time co-Pirate Quartermaster Tiny make sure everything runs ship shape the rest of the time. This includes the input of all the other crew members such as Bilge Rat Bill Drat and our chef, Cookie. Like most true Buccaneers, it's a democracy, it must be. We live and survive outside the rules and support of the common people so all we have is us.

FL: What do you do when you're not teaching wannabe pirates how to pirate?

CB: Argh, our wee entry student often ask if I be a “real” pirate. I say to them, "I've sailed since I was a child, I've won medals with my sword, and I learned to pilfer as a General Contractor.”

FL: Do you have a parrot on your shoulder? A peg leg? A hook for hand?

​CB: ​Peg leg? Ha! That be the sign of a clumsy sea dog.

Hook for a hand? The sign of poor swordsmanship.

Sometime my frog sits upon me shoulder. His name is Perroit. He be French.

And before ye ask, I do often wear an eyepatch, it often being useful to have one eye ready to go below deck without becoming night blinded.

FL: Anything else you’d like to share?


Yo ho, some advice for thee:
If you're feeling sea sick,
I've got the cure for free,
Find yourself a shady spot,
and sit underneath a tree.

FL: Good advice, commodore. Thank you.

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Commodore Barfbeard’s Pirate School starts up again during Jack O’Lantern Jamboree at Children’s Fairyland on both October 26 and 27 . Times vary, but happen off and on all day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship (of course). Pirate School is included with admission.