Members of the Fernandina Pirates Club are good, no, make that “great” at winning awards. They have traveled from South Florida to West Virginia, pirate ship in tow, to spread tales of their tiny NE Florida Island.
With two road-worthy, pirate ship floats: Amelia’s Revenge and the Miss Amelia Pearl, club members wave flags, carry banners, hand out beads and pirate hats, dance in the street and fire black powdered weapons from their floats all in an effort to entertain the crowds, but especially to promote the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, the City of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County, Florida.
It is on this page we share our treasured awards…
Fernandina Pirates Club Honors, Plaques, Trophies, and Awards
- The 65th Annual Ocala Christmas parade – 2nd Place Non Profit 2022
- Yulee Christmas Parade – 1st Place Best Float 2022
- The 64th Annual Ocala Christmas parade – 1st Place Non Profit 2021
- Yulee Christmas Parade – 2nd Place Best Float – 2021
- The 63rd Annual Ocala Christmas parade – 1st Place 2019
- The 42nd Shrimp Festival – 1st Place Special Effects – May 2005
- 7th Jacksonville Opening of the Beaches – Honorable Mention 2004
- The 41st Shrimp Festival – 2nd Place Non Profit– May 2004
- The 41st Shrimp Festival – 1st Place Special Effects – May 2004
- The Victory Junction Gang Camp Award – Feb 2004
- The 40th Shrimp Festival Best Non Profit Float Award –May 2003
- 57th Jacksonville`s Opening of the Beaches – 2nd Place – 2003
- Gator Bowl – Winn Dixie Grand Award – Most Outstanding Dec 2003
- Gator Bowl Parade – WEJZ Float Award – Dec 2002
- 56th Jacksonville Opening of the Beaches Parade – Best Over All – 2002
- Easter Parade – St Augustine – 2nd Place Best Historical – 2002
- Gator Bowl Parade – Bank of America Award – Dec 2001
- Yulee Christmas Parade – 1st Place Best Float – 2001
- Jacksonville Opening of the Beaches Parade – Class B 2nd Place – 2000
- Easter Parade – St Augustine – Pappy Schilling WFOX Award – 2000
- Easter Parade – St Augustine – 3rd Place Best Historical Theme – 1999
- O`Kanes St. Patrick`s Day Parade – 1st Place – 1989
- Easter Parade – St Augustine – 2nd Place – 1988
- Jacksonville Opening of the Beaches Parade – 1st Place – 1986
In December 2008, the Fernandina Pirates Club was awarded a Proclamation from the City of Fernandina Beach based on the good works of the club over the course of many years. This Proclamation designated the Club as the “City of Fernandina Beach’s Goodwill Ambassadors to the World.”
WHEREAS, the Fernandina Pirates Club was founded in 1973 and are active in promoting our community through the Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, parades, local charity fundraising events, providing community service, and the sponsorship of an annual scholarship contest for Nassau County High School Seniors; and
WHEREAS, for years the Pirates Club have had the motto “Amelia Island’s Goodwill Ambassadors to the World.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the City Commission of the City of Fernandina Beach and the citizens do hereby designate the Fernandina Pirates Club as the “City of Fernandina Beach’s Goodwill Ambassadors to the World.”
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Proclamation is a permanent matter of record in the proceedings of the City Commission as testimonial of our sincerest thanks to:
IN WITNESS WEREOF, I, Bruce Malcolm, as Mayor have hereunto set my hand and caused the Official Seal of the City of Fernanidna Beach, Florida, to be affixed this 2nd day of December 2008.
Rehabilitating Pete: A deteriorating landmark in historic Fernandina Beach, one who stood proudly as a symbol of community fellowship at the old Welcome Center at the waterfront, was recently hijacked by the Fernandina Pirates Club who coordinated the restoration and unveiling of the wooden sculpture of a pirate.
A community-wide contest to name the statue was won by the students of Emma Love Hardee and Peg Leg first took his place on October 14, 1978. Originally carved from a single ten foot piece of live oak by artist Wayne Ervin, it took the cooperative spirit of an additional two dozen volunteers and contributors to bring the historic landmark to life.
Pete, as Peg Leg became fondly known, is reported to be the single most photographed icon in Fernandina Beach. When Eric Childers was the president of the Fernandina Pirates Club, he approached his crew about the project to restore their comrade and was met with an overwhelming commitment to accept the responsibility to patch up the acclaimed pirate.
Since 1973, the pirates have been responsive to the tangible needs of our community such as promoting the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, local charity events and are the sole sponsor of a scholarship contest provided each year to Nassau County High School Seniors. Though mostly thought of as fun-seekers who only hand out beads at local parades, these Pirates do a whole lot more!
But, when the club took a closer look at Peg Leg, they realized he had lost over half of his original weight and in fact, he was in worse shape than anyone had imagined. “This is going to take more than a face-lift and a paint job,” members teased. His fragile core was hollow in many places from insect damage, his rotting wood was crumbling apart and a bird had even built a nest in his weathered head. With the welding skills of Container Corporation and the professionals with the City’s Street Division, Peg Leg was transported into the care of the Pirate Club’s membership to undergo several weeks of intense rehabilitation and therapy.
On November 10, 2007, the Fernandina Pirates Club proudly unveiled Peg Leg Pete, refurbished and restored. The Sign Shoppe provided a new dedication plaque and Rafloski Photography documented the exciting event.
On December 4, 2007, the City Commission of Fernandina Beach presented a formal Proclamation to the Fernandina Pirates Club in appreciation of “their efforts in restoring the City’s beloved Pirate, Peg Leg Pete, which has been a landmark in our downtown for over 30 years.”
The Pirates would like to formally thank all of those who felt connected to “rehabilitating Pete.”
