Two centuries later, the memory of William Augustus Bowles lives on in the annual Billy Bowlegs celebration.  To the Emerald Coast, Captain Billy left a heritage of pirate tales, great adventure and buried treasure!

The 1957 Bowlegs Festival souvenir program lists the original membership of 75 men.  Today, many Bowlegs members are second generation pirates, carrying on the tradition set forth by their pirate fathers.  Roger Clary, Captain Billy Bowlegs II, served as the first Captain Billy under an organized charter.

As indicated by the Constitution & Bylaws, Krewe membership is limited to 170, plus the former Captain Billys.  Each Captain Billy automatically becomes a member of the Society of Bowlegs, otherwise known affectionately as our SOB’s.

Hours of talented volunteer time, plus sizeable sums of money are expended each year by Krewe members and their wives.  Colorful floats, beautiful decorations and numerous throws are utilized by the Krewe plus custom made costumes are worn during the parades, with souvenir trinkets, “gold” or “silver” doubloons and the crowd’s favorite —cups!

A new captain Billy is selected each year from the Krewe membership by secret ballot.  The past seven Billys are solely responsible for the secret nominations.  Once the new Billy is selected, he chooses his Queen, First Mate & Mistress, ten Honor Guard couples and the Children of the Court.  The identities of the entire court are kept secret until the elaborate Coronation Pageant.

The late Docie Bass, Captain Billy Bowlegs IV, was the first to select his Queen from the Krewe membership.  Previously, the Queens were “captive wenches” and beauty contest winners.  Past Queens belong to the Society of Queens and perform many functions including the annual tea for graduating senior girls and support the new Queen in other functions throughout the year.

Sons and/or grandsons and daughters and/or granddaughters of Krewe members that are graduating seniors from high school are part of the court also.  These young ladies and gentlemen serve the court as Princesses and Privateers and are presented at the Coronation Pageant. 

The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival is celebrated the first weekend in June each year.  The community comes together to put on a colorful but futile display of bravery in defense of a city destined to be overrun by pirates.  The Skirmish on Friday night is followed by a full-fledged invasion of over 200 pirates and wenches at the Landing on Saturday.  The victory celebration is topped off with the Torchlight parade the following Monday evening where adults and children are showered with booty amassed during a full year of pillaging and plundering.  We are the Krewe of Bowlegs and we live “In Preservation of Piracy”!