Galveston Festival Reimagines Pirate Legacy

Galveston’s new Pirate Festival launched this week, presenting a contemporary take on the city’s rich pirate heritage, with a focus on the notorious Jean Lafitte. 

The festival kicked off with vibrant pub crawls on Friday, Sept. 19, and culminated on Saturday, Sept. 20, featuring a packed schedule of events at Seawolf Park. The event highlighted Galveston’s adventurous history while also recognizing the more troubling aspects of Lafitte’s legacy, such as his role in slave trading and smuggling.

Lafitte, a prominent figure in the realms of piracy and privateering, played a crucial role in shaping the early 19th-century landscape of Galveston. After playing a crucial part in the War of 1812, Lafitte received a pardon from the president. 

Nonetheless, his connections to the illegal slave trade and piracy have led to a multifaceted and contentious legacy. The festival aimed to honor the daring spirit of pirates, emphasizing their adventurous nature while avoiding the darker aspects of their era.

“While the pirates of the past were frequently regarded with contempt, the spirit we celebrate is rooted in adventure, innovation, and community,” stated festival promoter Johnny Steverson. “Kids are excited about the outfits, the scavenger hunts, and the stories; meanwhile, grown-ups enjoy the tunes, the cuisine, and the attire.” The pirate theme offers a captivating approach to bringing together various generations.

Steverson established the festival, inspired by nostalgic childhood experiences of wearing a pirate costume for Halloween, after receiving encouragement from a notable figure in the community. He aimed to enhance visitor numbers, aid community enterprises, and celebrate Galveston’s distinctive heritage. “This festival has a deeper purpose: to bring the community together and maintain the story in a way that is advantageous for all,” Steverson explained.

The festival brilliantly showcased the excitement of pirate legends while also highlighting the historical realities of Lafitte’s era. 

Relatedly, the Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) took steps to clarify misunderstandings surrounding Lafitte’s actions. 

A fresh exhibit titled “Pathways to Freedom” debuted this week at Pier 22, showcasing Galveston’s significance as a southern extension of the Underground Railroad. GHF historian Jami Durham highlights Lafitte's notable involvement in the slave trade, with accounts from 1818 indicating that he transported hundreds of enslaved individuals to Galveston for resale.

Durham is in the process of creating an exhibit aimed at debunking misconceptions about Lafitte’s legacy, particularly the enduring notion that his headquarters were situated near Harborside Drive. 

Recent findings indicate that Lafitte’s encampment was probably situated nearer to the intersection of 15th and Post Office streets, a location with historical ties to the slave trade. Despite attempts to clarify the facts, the legacy of piracy continues to have an influential presence in Galveston. 

In a nod to Lafitte’s impact, two Catholic schools on the island have chosen “Buccaneers” as their mascot. The tale of Lafitte’s hidden treasure continues to capture interest, though Durham expresses doubt. “I have significant reservations about whether it was ever interred,” she stated. “If he was pushed out of here, why would he leave behind his treasure?”

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