Meet Paula’s Porch Pirates:
The Crew Above Sea Bird Gifts & Candy That Took Pirate Daze Hostage — Nicely
Every year during Rusty Scuppers Pirate Daze, Westport gets a little louder, a little weirder, and a whole lot more piratey.
And if you’ve ever walked past Sea Bird Gifts & Candy during Pirate Daze, you already know there is something happening on the porch upstairs.
There are flags. There are skeletons. There are pirates hollering from above. There is treasure flying through the air. There may be a kazoo involved. Honestly, it is best not to ask too many questions.
That porch is home to Paula’s Porch Pirates, one of the most wonderfully ridiculous and genuinely kind-hearted crews to sail into Westport each year.
They toss taffy. They hand out treasure. They take pictures with kids. They support the Westport Jetty Cats. And somehow, in the middle of all the chaos, they have become one of the sweetest parts of Pirate Daze.
So we asked them how this all started.
Naturally, there was rum involved.
How Paula’s Porch Pirates Got Started
Paula’s Porch Pirates began when founders O’Rourke and McCooter came to Pirate Daze one year and loved it.
The next year, they invited their weird friends.
And then they never looked back.
That is more or less how many great Westport traditions are born: someone has a good time, invites more weirdos, and suddenly there are skeletons strapped to vehicles heading toward the marina.
Today, the crew includes around 20 pirates who travel from all over Puget Sound and Portland for the weekend. They come with costumes, props, pirate flags, treasure, balloon swords, and enough energy to make you wonder what exactly is in those cups.
Probably coffee.
Probably.
How the Porch Above Sea Bird Became Pirate Headquarters
The now-famous porch above Sea Bird Gifts & Candy became home base because the apartment upstairs was rented by the founders during Pirate Daze.
They had such a good time that they rented it again the next year.
Then they decorated it.
Then they decorated it more.
Then, as pirates tend to do, they claimed it emotionally, spiritually, and possibly under maritime law.
As for how the name Paula’s Porch Pirates came about?
Their official answer:
“There was rum involved. The less Paula knows, the better.”
That feels legally airtight to us.
Decorating the Porch Is Not for the Weak
The porch does not magically become a pirate headquarters overnight.
Preparation starts immediately after the Sunday parade. The crew talks through what worked, what did not, and what fresh nonsense they want to attempt the following year.
By the beginning of the year, they usually meet again to check in, assign tasks, build props, and secure loot.
And when we say props, we mean props.
The crew has collected so many decorations that they rent a storage unit in town — and this year, they upgraded to a larger one.
That is either dedication or a very specific pirate problem.
It takes about two full days to get everything set up. Different pirates are assigned to different areas, including the balloon tent, the new Pirate Plunder shop, and the porch itself.
They even have someone assigned to make sure everyone eats, drinks water, and reapplies sunscreen.
Their warning?
Do not cross this woman.
She is mean.
Honestly, every good pirate crew needs at least one person keeping everyone alive and SPF-coated.
What Kind of Booty Do the Pirates Hand Out?
Paula’s Porch Pirates are serious about handing out booty.
During Pirate Daze, visitors might leave with saltwater taffy, beads, coins, stuffed animals, balloon swords, tattoos, collector buttons, whistles, kazoos, and a few new surprises.
They also hide small octopus friends around town.
Or octopi.
Or octopuses.
We are not marine biologists. We are candy people.
Find one of the hidden little sea creatures and return it for a treasure box prize.
The pirates also love taking pictures with kids and families, especially once the little ones realize the pirates are not actually that scary.
Mostly.
The Great Taffy Tradition
Of course, we had to ask how Sea Bird’s saltwater taffy became part of the Paula’s Porch Pirates tradition.
Their answer:
“We tried to throw rocks, but Paula put a stop to that and gave us taffy.”
Good call, Paula.
Taffy is softer, sweeter, and far less likely to require an incident report.
Now, Sea Bird’s saltwater taffy has become part of the fun. If you are looking for saltwater taffy in Westport, there is a chance some of it may be launched gently from a pirate porch during Pirate Daze.
As for the crew’s favorite flavor?
They said all the flavors are good.
Except black licorice.
Because, and we quote:
“Just because.”
Fair enough.
The Best Part? The Kids
For all the pirate flags, skeletons, jokes, and chaos, Paula’s Porch Pirates are very clear about what matters most.
The kids.
One of their favorite parts of the weekend is watching children realize the pirates are friendly. They especially love talking with shy kids and helping them open up.
That is where the real magic happens.
Sure, the taffy helps.
So do the beads, balloons, buttons, tattoos, whistles, kazoos, and stuffed animals.
But underneath all the costumes and pirate voices is a group of people who genuinely care about making Pirate Daze fun, welcoming, and memorable for families.
When asked what they want people to know about Paula’s Porch Pirates, their answer was simple:
“We care.”
And honestly, that might be the whole story right there.
Giving Back to the Westport Jetty Cats
Paula’s Porch Pirates also support the Westport Jetty Cats, because apparently there are no Jetty Dogs.
Their words, not ours.
The crew said they wanted to give back to the community that “tolerates us one weekend a year,” and supporting the Jetty Cats became part of that.
That sentence pretty much sums them up.
A little ridiculous. A little sweet. Very Westport.
This year, Willow the Jetty Cat may even attempt to moonwalk.
No pressure, Willow.
But expectations are high.
Why Rusty Scuppers Pirate Daze Matters to Them
When asked what makes Rusty Scuppers Pirate Daze special, the crew gave an answer that was surprisingly heartfelt.
“It’s the best of humanity for us. We’re spending the weekend with our best friends and having a positive impact on the kids.”
That is the thing about Pirate Daze in Westport.
Yes, it is costumes, cannon fire, treasure, flags, parades, and general marina mayhem.
But it is also community.
It is people showing up year after year to make something joyful. It is families making memories. It is local businesses, visitors, pirates, kids, cats, candy, and chaos all tangled together into one strange and wonderful weekend.
And really, that is Westport at its best.
What to Expect This Year
This year, Paula’s Porch Pirates are planning new surprises, bigger decorations, and an attempt to “level up” their balloon game.
No guarantee.
Again, their words.
The Sunday parade is also expected to be epic.
Either a success or a failure.
Still epic.
Visitors can expect more treasure, more photos, more porch chaos, more Jetty Cat energy, and possibly a moonwalking cat.
Please prepare emotionally.
Very Important Pirate Nonsense
Because no proper pirate blog would be complete without a few crucial facts:
Best pirate name in the crew?
Looter McCooter.
Most likely pirate to start trouble?
Captain Sparkle Butt, obviously.
You know Paula’s Porch Pirates have arrived when…
Seven different vehicles carrying skeletons and pirate flags converge on Sea Bird Gifts & Candy at once.
So, just a normal Westport morning.
Come See the Porch Pirates During Pirate Daze
If you are heading to Rusty Scuppers Pirate Daze in Westport, make sure to stop by Sea Bird Gifts & Candy and look up.
You will probably hear the pirates before you see them.
Say hello to Paula’s Porch Pirates, grab a photo, keep an eye out for hidden octopuses, and maybe catch a piece of Sea Bird saltwater taffy if you are lucky.
And while you are here, wander inside for saltwater taffy, handmade fudge, chocolates, gifts, and beach-town treasures.
No hard sell.
The pirates would never allow that.
They might, however, hand you a kazoo