On Your Marks, Get Set... (Fill in the rest)

So this past weekend was the Pirate Festival! This has always been one of my favourite weekends of the summer. It's like summer camp, where I get to dress like a pirate in a big dirty field, drink cider, and listen to some of my favourite musicians. An and I love seeing all our crazy pirate friends, and it's as if no time has passed every time I see them, not to mention all the new friends we make each and every year. For example, this year I met Sam from Cake's Cove (site linked in the pics below). I think I gained several pounds this weekend off of her cupcakes alone. Also, I need to have another wedding, just so I can have an excuse to order that crazy cake! Just look at it!

Mmmmm... guts...

This year was also our first year in our new location at Guelph's Marden Park. I was wondering about what would be different, and what would be the same. Up until now, we had always been in Milton. Who would be with us this year? Who would be missing? Would we have the same shows, vendors, food? But everything was great, and the new management handled it all. It's never easy having so much change over, but it all felt very smooth. 

Also new this year was our tent mate Sarah WaterRaven. She was a most welcome addition to our crew, and is the author of the awesome Detective Docherty series. I have had a lot of people ask me how I can share a tent or table with another author. Isn't there conflict? Aren't you worried about competition? Sarah and I had some great conversations about it. We both agreed that when it comes to writing, there is always room for more stories in the world. Every book has an audience, and we shouldn't see each others as competition. I have been very fortunate in finding a great group of writing friends here in Toronto, and we view each other as a kind of literary family, supporting one another, and helping each other out when and where we can. It's been fantastic, and as the community is small, it's what we should do. One of the pirates said to me that she views our festival crew the same way, and I heartily agree. We celebrate each others milestones: births, marriages, birthdays, engagements. And when one of us is brought low, we feel it in much the same way. As such, I have no problem sharing my tent with another artist, and Sarah fit right in with or kooky band of cosplayers. An heartily agreed. 

​And now that that sappy sentiment was shared... Some pics for all!

Sarah WaterRaven, An, and I

An and I

Why does this always happen to me?

Mmmm... pickle juice...

Sarah WaterRaven and Josh prepare to ride the giant pirate slide

Juggling pirates in the background and two awesome necklaces. One by my fantastic publisher Pandamoon, and the other by the amazingly talented Steamgummi.

Pirate fisticuffs lessons

Blackbeard was right. The dark chocolate rum cupcakes were deadly!

Oh, and Sarah, sorry again about Captain Dark Water's idea of dinner entertainment. Thanks to you though, I will forever remember the origin of the phrase "the cat's out of the bag". But don't worry, what happens at Pirate Festival, stays at Pirate Festival (and my blog). See you in a few weeks partner!