Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville (www.limaritime.org) held a pirate-filled Nautical Festival the weekend of May 22-23.

This annual festival featured live music by The Fishing Line and fresh local seafood. The fried clams were simply enough to walk the plank for -- fresh, plump, and not a bit greasy.

The grounds of the Museum were filled with numerous vendors and kid friendly activities - face painting was a hit for kids of all ages. One of the highlights for the children, of course, were the pirates and the 'mock' sea battles, staged on land with air-puff guns and plenty of "Aaarghs" and "Shiver me timbers". The pirates kept the children thoroughly entertained and when they dipped into their treasure chest for shiny and sparkly trinkets for the kids, eyes widened as they do on Christmas morning, and the little ones went yelping with delight back to their parents to show off their new treasures.

For the 'older' kids, the Fest featured antique cars and boats, as well as newer sea-worthy craft for today's sailor.

The Long Island Maritime Museum is located on the historic West Sayville waterfront which was once part of the Meadowedge estate of Mr. and Mrs. Anson Hard. It sits on fourteen acres and houses nine historic buildings. In the Rudolph Oyster House, visitors can learn about the early days when settlers set out to harvest shellfish in wood dugout canoes and dead reckoning was the only way a sailor managed to navigate the seas.

The LI Maritime Museum is open Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday Noon - 4pm, Admission $4, Seniors/Children $2, Group Tours BY APPOINTMENT. For more information, please call 631-447-8679.

Maritime Museum table

Rich Johnson (front right) and The Fishing Line Band

Pirates & Crew