LYNN—Lynn Woods Reservation was filled with pirates and adventures on Saturday.
The 15th annual Pirate Day festivities featured hundreds of kids and families coming together for a pirate adventure, helping the Captain find his golden hook stolen by pirate Boson Bilgewater.
At the end of the two-mile adventure, kids were rewarded with being an honorary pirate for the day and got a chance to explore the dark caves under Dungeon Rock.
“The kids just eat it up,” said volunteer Steven Bellardino, who impersonates pirate ‘Poopdeck Pete’ each year. “I even pull out my costume for Halloween and the kids around my neighborhood recognize me.”
One of the children volunteering to be a pirate along the journey was Chloe Batson, who said she has big dreams stemming from her performance.
“I want to be famous one day,” she said.
Farther down the path, the wizard and another pirate handed out doubloons, played by Rick and Ellen Alfonsi, longtime volunteers.
“It’s really a thrill,” Ellen said. “Its free, fun and outdoors. We love it.”
The event was organized by more than 50 volunteers, Lynn English High School ROTC, and the Friends of Lynn Woods, with all their work being pulled together by Lynn Water and Sewer Ranger Dan Small.
“Today is his Christmas,” said President of Friends of Lynn Woods Jane Kelley about Small.
For Small, the day is better described as a relief when everything turns out well, the culmination of all the work put into the event.
The event received more than 600 reservations and planners were expecting nearly 1,000 visitors throughout the day.
When asked what his favorite part of the day was, Small described the reaction of the children.
“I would have to say it’s when they first start coming out,” he said. “The look on their face, it means that we did something good for them.”
